This week’s Parsha talks about a dramatic event. Yaacov initiated a meeting with his hateful brother Aisav after being separated for more than thirty years.
Yaacov was well aware of Aisav’s deeply entrenched hatred towards him and in preparation for this encounter he prayed for Heavenly assistance. He also sent lavish gifts to appease Aisav, and strategized a battle plan in case Aisav would attack.
In preparation for an attack Yaacov divided his family in two locations. The Torah then tells us that Yaacov separated from the rest of his family and went back to his previous lodging alone. It was then that he met the angel of Aisav and they struggled. Yaacov overpowered the angel and the angel blessed Yaakov and renamed him Yisroel.
The question asked is why did Yaacov go back? Our Sages tell us that Yaacov remembered that he had forgotten some small jugs and went back to retrieve them. Our Sages learn from here that even though Yaacov was phenomenally wealthy he didn’t forget the small stuff and that he valued each one of his possessions.
The word used for the jugs that Yaacov went back for is Pachim. Our Sages link up these flasks – Pachim that Yaacov went back for ― to the single flask of pure oil that the Macabbees found in the Temple to light the Menorah during the Chanukah miracle.
Yaacov in going back for the flask ensured that many years later a flask would be available for his descendants to rededicate the Temple and the Menorah in purity during Chanukah.
I never quite understood the connection between the jugs Yaacov went back for and the jug of pure oil with the seal of the high priest in the Chanukah miracle. After all, it doesn’t say that there was oil in the jugs that Yaacov went back for.
I recently came across a commentary by Rabbi Nissan Alpert o.b.m. that lit up and clarified the association between the two occurrences. The Torah tells us that Yaacov anointed the altars that he set up with special oil.
The Torah tells us that Yaacov went back to his previous location Levado – alone. Says Rabbi Alpert, an oil press is called a Baad. Thus the verse can be hinting to both ideas, Yaacov went back alone – to his Baad ― his oil press ― to retrieve the small jugs of oil! That deed prepared and orchestrated that around 1500 years later the only jug of pure oil remaining hidden in the Temple would be retrieved and be the catalyst for the Chanukah miracle that would be celebrated for all time!
A beautiful idea emerges from this. What each of us does in terms on our observances and deeds, especially when we go out of our way to do them, can trigger exceptional blessings and benefits for us and our descendants!
While Yaacov prepared and was in discussion with Aisav during their encounter the word “Chain” recurs often. The word Chain has a few meanings depending on the context; here it is grace, favor or graciousness. The related word Chanun, is one of the 13 attributes of G-d’s Mercy. We recognize G-d bestows favor to us even though we are unworthy – it’s equivalent to a free gift.
During this episode Yaacov continually evokes the idea of Chain – favor, hoping that Aisav, even though he had a deep seeded hatred towards Yaacov, would have a momentary grace period and see Yaacov’s goodness. Yaacov’s approach to life and its gifts were that they were graciously given by G-d without him being entitled to them. One who conveys this message – generally exudes a certain Chain.
The Torah records that when Aisav asked Yaacov who the youngsters with him were, Yaacov answered “They are my children which G-d had Chanan ― graciously ― given to me.”
This statement that Yaacov made about his children impacted upon them and instilled a special Chain – favor ― within them. This concept of Chain in Yaacov’s children and descendants is so impactful and integral that the Medrash tells us that since Yaacov’s youngest son Binyamin was not born yet when Yaacov made this statement of Chain about his children, it was necessary for Binyamin to later receive this blessing of Chain. The Torah relates that before Yosef revealed himself, Binyamin stood before his lost brother Yosef, the viceroy of Egypt, and Yosef blessed him, “G-d be gracious to you, my son.”
The word Chain appears many times in King David’s Book of Psalms, within our daily prayers, and in the Priestly Blessings and grace after meals.
The Torah states that Noach found favor in G-d’s eyes. When the Jews were about to leave Egypt, the Jews found favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. Also, Queen Esther’s “Chain” was noticed by all.
Finally, in the Amidah when we beseech G-d for wisdom, we begin with stating, “You graciously endow man with wisdom…Endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom.”
Our choice of words, how we say something and what we say, reflects on the consideration we give to incorporate the graciousness of G-d in our communication!
