Facing Fear

Vayishlach

Gen. 32:4 - 36:43

Précis: As he nears his return to his homeland, Jacob sent (vayishlach) messengers to Esau to ascertain Esau’s state of mind after their 20 year separation. While he awaits a reply, Jacob encounters an “adversary” (most assume an angel) with whom Jacob wrestles through the night. As dawn breaks, the adversary announces that Jacob’s name is to be changed to Israel: “He who wrestles with God.” On the following day, Esau approaches, and despite Jacob’s fears, there is a happy reunion.

            We then read the story of how a local prince rapes Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, and then asks to marry her. Jacob agrees on condition that all of the men of the city are circumcised. While the men are recovering, Jacob’s sons Simon and Levi attack the city and kill all of the inhabitants in revenge for the insult to their sister.

           Jacob soon travels to Beth-el (the site of his ladder dream), and on the way, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin and dies in childbirth. Thereafter, Isaac’s death is noted, as is his burial by Esau and Jacob. The parasha ends with a genealogy of Esau and his descendants.

Gen. 32:8 “Jacob was greatly frightened; in his anxiety, he divided the people with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps.”

            In his “Short, practical, relevant Weekly Dvar” (11/27/15) Shlomo Ressler poses the question of why Jacob was “greatly frightened.” After all, he had been promised by God that he, Jacob, would return safely to Canaan (Gen. 28:15). Does Jacob’s fear reflect a lack of trust in God’s promise?

            Ressler cites Abrabanel who states that fear is a not sign of weakness, but rather a part of being a human being. One who is afraid should not be judged harshly. After all, whom among us has never been afraid?

            For some in America today, there is real fear about what lies ahead for America and the world. The question is what do we do when we're afraid? Do we become immobilized, or do we gather ourselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead? Jacob’s great strength was that he was prepared and able to act despite his fear (which some would call the definition of heroism). What concrete steps can be taken by those of us who question America's way ahead as espioused by the incoming administration? I suggest that supporting organizations such as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the Sierra Club is one important opportunity. Speaking out in “main stream” media as well as social media is another chance to act in the face of fear.

            Rav Nahman of Bratslav once said, "the whole world is a very narrow bridge, but the main thing is not to be afraid at all." Jacob’s actions teach us that when we are afraid, we have the opportunity to gather our strength and conquer our fears by confronting them. As Ressler suggests, “we won't act afraid, because we won't be afraid to act.”