Daily Chumash & Rashi Parshas Vayishlach Shelishi – Yaakov meets Eisav

*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer

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Shelishi

  • Yaakov called that place Peniyail, as he saw the face of an angel and was saved.
  • Yaakov’s injury: Yaakov was limping after the above encounter.
  • The sciatic nerve: We do not eat from the sciatic nerve of an animal until this day due to this injury that Yaakov sustained in the battle.

 

  1. Yaakov meets Eisav:
  • Yaakov raised his eyes and saw Eisav and his 400 men coming to greet him.
  • The setup of Yaakov’s family: Yaakov separated the children with Rochel and Leah. The maids and their children were placed first, and Rachel and Yosef last.
  • Hugging, kissing and crying: Yaakov bowed seven times until he reached his brother. Eisav ran towards him, and hugged him and kissed him. He fell on his neck and they both cried. Eisav lifted his eyes and saw Yaakov’s family and asked who they are. Yaakov replied that they are the children which Hashem has granted “your servant.”

Bereshit 32–33 – Q&A Study Guide (Rashi)

Peni’el and the Limp

  1. Why did Yaakov name the place “Peni’el”?

Because he said, “I saw an angel of God face to face, yet my life was spared.”

 

  1. What does “וַיִּזְרַח־לוֹ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ” mean?

“The sun rose for him”—Rashi explains it rose early for his benefit, to heal his limp, compensating for the earlier sunset when he left Be’er Sheva.

 

  1. Why do Israelites not eat the Gid HaNasheh?

Because the angel touched Yaakov’s hip joint, dislocating the nerve, which sprang away from its position.

 

Meeting Esav

  1. Why did Yaakov divide his family into groups?

To protect them—placing the bondwomen first, Leah next, and Rachel last, showing Rachel was most beloved.

 

  1. Why did Yaakov go ahead and bow seven times?

He said: “If Esav attacks, let him fight me first.” His humility and courage were evident.

 

  1. What is the meaning of the dots over “וַיִּשָּׁקֵהוּ” (he kissed him)?

There is a debate: some say Esav did not kiss wholeheartedly; Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says his compassion was genuinely aroused at that moment, though fleeting.

 

  1. What did Yaakov answer when Esav asked, ‘Who are these to you?’

“These are the children whom God graciously gave your servant.”

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