Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Vayishlach Sheiyni – Yaakov sends presents to Eisav

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Sheiyni

  1. Yaakov sends presents to Eisav:
    • The content of the present: Yaakov slept there that night and prepared to send Eisav a present of animals; 200 female goats and 20 male goats, 200 female sheep, and 20 rams, 30 male and female camels, 40 female cows and 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys and 10 male donkeys.
    • The instructions given to the messengers sending the present: Yaakov placed the animals in different groups of herds, and instructed the messengers taking the herds to make space between each herd. Yaakov instructed them: Upon meeting Eisav, you are to tell him that the animals belong to your servant Yaakov and he is sending them as a present to his master Eisav. Tell him that Yaakov too is on his way to greet him. Each group was instructed to tell Eisav the above.
    • Yaakov slept that night in the camp, after the present was sent.
  1. Yaakov battles the angel of Eisav:
    • Crossing his family: Yaakov awoke in middle of the night and crossed his two wives and 11 children across the river of Yabok. He also moved all of his belongings. Yaakov remained on the other side and fought with a man until daybreak.
    • The battle: The man saw that he was unable to overcome Yaakov, so he injured his joint in his thigh. Yaakov was holding him when morning arrived and refused to let go of him until he promised to bless him. The man promised Yaakov that his name will no longer be Yaakov but rather Yisrael, which means that he has battled and won against men [who are angels]. Yaakov asked for his name, and the man did not answer.

Bereshit 32 – Q&A Study Guide (Rashi)

Yaakov’s Gift to Esav

  1. What does “הַבָּא בְיָדוֹ” mean?

It refers to what was in Yaakov’s possession. Midrash adds: it can also mean precious stones tied in a bundle, or unconsecrated items after separating tithes.

 

  1. Why were the animals divided by gender and species?

The number of males matched the needs of the females. Rashi notes this teaches that marital obligations vary by occupation—derived from the ratio of males to females among the animals.

 

  1. Why were camels mentioned with “their young”?

To indicate males for each female, though Scripture uses modest language because camels mate discreetly.

 

  1. Why did Yaakov separate the herds with space between them?

To impress Esav with the abundance of the gift and appease his anger.

 

Instructions to the Servants

  1. What should the servants say when Esav asks, “Whose are you?”

“I belong to your servant Yaakov.” And when asked, “Whose are these?”—“They are a gift for my master Esav.”

  1. What does “וְהִנֵּה גַם־הוּא אַחֲרֵינוּ” mean?

“Yaakov himself is behind us”—to show humility and respect.

 

  1. What does “אֲכַפְּרָה פָנָיו” mean?

“I will appease his anger.” Rashi explains כַּפָּרָה here means “to wipe away” or “remove,” similar to its usage in Talmudic Aramaic.

 

Crossing the Yabok and Wrestling

  1. Why did Yaakov cross the river at night?

He ferried his family and possessions across, acting as a ferryman.

 

  1. Why did Yaakov remain alone?

He returned for small jars he had forgotten—teaching that the righteous value their possessions.

 

  1. Who wrestled with Yaakov?

Esav’s guardian angel, appearing in human form.

 

  1. What does “וַיֵּאָבֵק” mean?

It means “entangled” or “intertwined,” from an Aramaic root, describing the struggle.

 

  1. Why did the angel touch Yaakov’s hip?

To dislocate it, symbolizing future suffering of Yaakov’s descendants.

 

The Blessing and Name Change

  1. Why did Yaakov demand a blessing?

To confirm his right to Yitzchak’s blessings, which Esav contested.

 

  1. What is the meaning of “Israel”?

It signifies nobility (שְׂרָרָה) and “striving with God”—Yaakov prevailed over divine and human adversaries.

 

  1. Why did the angel refuse to reveal his name?

Angels have no fixed names; their names change according to their mission.

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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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