Eisav's meeting with Yaakov:

 

Eisav's meeting with Yaakov:

Yoichonon Zweig- Alexander Baran

According to R. Ari Kahn, Eisov is convinced that Yaakov "defected" to him, with all the wealth and the fights with Lovon: Yaakov describes Esau in detail how he became very rich with a lot of hard work and long hours in the house of the cunning, ruthless, dangerous Lovon.

In doing so, he creates an image of himself that must convince Esau that he and his world view have won. There is only this material world in which nothing else counts but military strength, economic power and intellectual cunning. God plays no role here.

Esau is naturally happy and immediately wants to take Yaakov. Then he says:

(יב) וַיֹּ֖אמֶר נִסְעָ֣ה וְנֵלֵ֑כָה וְאֵלְכָ֖ה לְנֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃(

Come, let us go through life together, and no power in the world will stand before us. I am the prince of this world, and you are the prince of the world to come. Who can resist us?

I will adjust my step to that of your children.

יג) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו אֲדֹנִ֤י יֹדֵ֙עַ֙ כִּֽי־הַיְלָדִ֣ים רַכִּ֔ים וְהַצֹּ֥אן וְהַבָּקָ֖ר עָל֣וֹת עָלָ֑י וּדְפָקוּם֙ י֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד וָמֵ֖תוּ כׇּל־הַצֹּֽאן׃

Yaakov responds very diplomatically, but clearly. My lord knows that the children and the cattle are very vulnerable and delicate. A single heavy day's march can kill all the cattle.

Lekach tov says in response:

לקח טוב בראשית ל "ג:י "ב

(יב) ויאמר נסעה ונלכה - מדרש אמר לו עשו נחלוק העוה "ז והעוה "ב אמר לו יעקב יג) אדוני יודע כי הילדים רכים. ואין יכולין לסבול דינה של גהינם אלא

(יד) יעבר נא אדוני לפני עבדו - זה מממשלה של עוה "ז. והעוה "ב ינחלו ישראל. אמר לו ואין אתה ירא משעבוד מלכיות. א "ל ואני אתנהלה לאטי. להוני להוני אנא מהלך. לאטי בניחותא. כמו ההולכים לאט (ישעיה ח:'ו)' כלומר לא אתגאה עליהם כי אסבול עולם.

Eisov wants to have a part of Oilom Habo, the world to come, through Yaakov.

Yaakov declines with thanks. Let Eisov get his share entirely in this world, and when the time is right, Yaakov will receive the World to Come.

בראשית ל"ג:ט"ו

(טו) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר עֵשָׂ֔ו אַצִּֽיגָה־נָּ֣א עִמְּךָ֔ מִן־הָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתִּ֑י וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לָ֣מָּה זֶּ֔ה אֶמְצָא־חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י אֲדֹנִֽי

Eisov implores “No”: “please”, to at least be allowed to assign guards- so he may at least claim before the heavenly court: "But I guarded Yaakov and secured him in this world!"?

Or to have spies and control over Yaakov in order to later seek him out at any time and rob him of his life and possessions?

Question from Alexander:

Does Eisov know what happened at the Yabbok, that Yaakov defeated his guardian angel?

Rashi to posuk 10, Bereishis 33, affirms this. He shows that Yaacov let Eisov know in no uncertain terms that Eisov can´t ever subjugate Yaacov permanently, and therefore it is advisable for him to accept Yaacovs gifts, so he will at least have some part of his wealth.

And now they are parting ways:

Yaakov leaves Sukkoiso, and Eisav returns to his life.

Yaakov goes under the wing of the shechinah, sukkoiso, before the place is called Sukkois after the stable huts for the animals.

This first sukoiso is perhaps really to be understood according to our traditional understanding of what a sukke is: to take refuge under the wing of the shechinah.

 

 

And Eisov returned to his ways that day. This, that he had so joyfully embraced and kissed Yaakov, and proposed a partnership to him, is now over. He returns to his enmity towards all things spiritual, and thus also towards Yaakov, and becomes completely who he was when he came to the lentil court:

 

R. Hirsch:

שעירה לדרכו וישב, this לדרכו is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is indicative of the direction to which Esau has now returned in his way of life and mind. This is the last time we see Jacob and Esau together, from then on their lives separate completely. Just as the whole Gid Hannasheh event only awaits its realization and completion in the distant future, so this meeting at that moment was only a truth and an indication of how Jacob and Esau's relationship with each other will develop at the end of days. For the present and for some time to come, however, we are told that Esau returned to Seir that same day "in his usual way". Perhaps!