Dwell in the Land in Peace

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), our forefather Jacob experienced some life-changing events.

Although Jacob feared that he would have to fight his brother Esav when “he saw Esav coming and with him four hundred men” (Genesis 33:1), his deep brotherly love prevailed, and war was avoided.

Yaacov was rewarded for his efforts to make peace and received the complimentary name Yisroel, which means “prince (שר) of God,” because “you struggled with the divine and among men and you prevailed” (Genesis 32:29).

Yisroel was also rewarded with God’s promise: “The land I have given to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you and your descendants after you I will give the land” (Genesis 3512).

As I mentioned previously, the Jewish people, first and foremost, pursue peace but are sometimes forced into conflict.

May the day come soon when the words of David are fulfilled, “Seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14) and “Peace be within you” (Psalms 122:8), and the Jewish people will dwell in their land and be at peace with their neighbors.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz

P.O. Box 351235, Los Angeles, CA 90035 • 310-556-3344

[email protected] • www.jewsforjudaism.org/donate • www.SMARTalks.com