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VAYISHLACH

Yaakov sends messengers, agents to meet with his brother Eisav and to attempt to mollify his anger against Yaakov. After twenty years, Eisav still smarts from the hurt caused him by Yaakov receiving the blessings of their father Yitzchak. Eisav seeks revenge for that hurt and Yaakov is well aware of the danger that Eisav poses to him and his family. Why then does Yaakov send angels, emissaries, agents to negotiate with Yaakov? After all, the Lord has promised Yaakov to protect him from destruction. Would not a direct appearance before Eisav by Yaakov, and Yaakov personally presenting all of the gifts to Eisav directly rather than through agents and emissaries be more logical and productive?

It can be well understood that Yaakov would shirk from personally having to deal with Eisav but he is undoubtedly aware that such a meeting is eventually unavoidable, so why does he choose to postpone the dreaded moment as long as possible? It is true that the gifts given to Eisav were meant to soften his attitude and soothe his hatred towards Yaakov, but perhaps Yaakov's personal presentation of them to Eisav would be even a more powerful inducement for reconciliation. There must be a deeper reason that explains Yaakov's strategy and behavior. And herein lays a deep message of truth and relevance for all of us.

Eisav is always better dealt with through agents, emissaries, public opinion, outside forces. Rarely is much of anything good accomplished by direct confrontation with Eisav. All of Jewish history testifies to the truth of this proposition. It may be more romantic and seemingly heroic to deal with Eisav strongly and directly. But Jewish survival has been strongly abetted by avoiding direct confrontations with the descendants of Eisav - as reflected throughout history.

The State of Israel came into being because of the temporary sympathy of the Western world and even the Soviet Union and the United Nations. The Jews would have to fight and die for its establishment but there is no doubt that if it were not for the emissaries that preceded us we would not have had the opportunity to even attempt to establish such a state. There are many times that confrontation and strength do not accomplish victory and even survival.

After every ideal and noble goal, the main task for the Jewish people has always been to successfully survive and pass on its great heritage and values to later generations and the world generally. If somehow others or circumstances can pave the way for us to accomplish this great goal of survival and success, then such help should be desired and appreciated. In a hostile world it is foolish to repudiate agents and emissaries that deal with Eisav on our behalf.