Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Vayishlach Rishon – Yaakov prepares to meet Eisav

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Rishon

  1. Yaakov prepares to meet Eisav:
  • Messengers sent to Eisav: Yaakov sends messengers to his brother Eisav to the land of Seir, fields of Edom. Yaakov instructs them to go and tell Eisav that he was with Lavan until this time, and thus delayed meeting him. “Tell him that I have a lot of cattle and am coming to my master to find favor in his eyes.” The messengers returned from their meeting with Eisav and told Yaakov that Eisav is coming to greet him with 400 men.
  • Yaakov splits the camp and prays: Yaakov became very fearful, and split his camp of people and cattle into two groups, so if Eisav smites one camp, the other camp can survive. Yaakov Davened to Hashem that in the merit of Avraham and Yitzchak that he should be saved. “Save me from the hands of my brother Eisav. You said you will do good to me, and make my offspring like the sand of the sea that are too numerous to count.”

Bereshit 32 – Q&A Study Guide (Rashi)

Yaakov’s Preparations

  1. Who did Yaakov send as messengers to Esav?

Real angels, not human messengers.

 

  1. What does “אַרְצָה שֵׂעִיר” mean?

“To the land of Se’ir”—the suffix ה replaces the usual prefix ל to indicate “to.”

 

  1. Why did Yaakov say “גַּרְתִּי” (I have sojourned)?

To show humility: he lived as a stranger, not a nobleman, so Esav should not hate him for the blessings. Midrash adds: גַּרְתִּי equals 613, meaning he kept all the commandments despite living with Lavan.

 

  1. Why did Yaakov mention his possessions?

To clarify that his wealth was not from the blessings of heaven and earth promised by Yitzchak, but from hard work.

 

 

The Report and Yaakov’s Fear

  1. What did the messengers report back?

Esav is coming with 400 men—indicating hostility.

 

  1. Why was Yaakov “frightened and distressed”?

He feared being killed and was distressed at possibly having to kill others.

 

  1. What strategy did Yaakov adopt?

He divided his camp into two, hoping one would survive if attacked.

 

  1. What three preparations did Yaakov make?

Prayer, sending gifts, and readiness for war.

 

Yaakov’s Prayer

  1. Why did Yaakov invoke “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac”?

To recall two promises: one at Be’er Sheva and one at Lavan’s house, each using different Divine Names.

 

  1. What does “קָטֹנְתִּי מִכֹּל הַחֲסָדִים” mean?

“I am unworthy of all the kindness”—Yaakov feared his merits were diminished and he might have sinned.

 

  1. What is the meaning of “וּמִכָּל־הָאֱמֶת”?

The complete fulfillment of God’s word—He kept His promises.

 

  1. What does “בְמַקְלִי עָבַרְתִּי” teach?

Yaakov crossed the Jordan with only his staff; Midrash says the river split for him.

 

  1. Why did Yaakov pray “Save me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esav”?
    Because Esav was acting not as a brother but as the wicked Esav.

 

God’s Promise

  1. What does “הֵיטֵב אֵיטִיב” signify?

Double assurance: God will do good for Yaakov in his own merit and in the merit of his forefathers.

 

  1. Why does the Torah mention “like the sand of the sea”?

Though God told Yaakov “like the dust of the earth,” He had promised Avraham “like the stars and sand,” and Yaakov invoked that broader promise.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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