VaYishlach 5770
“Jacob became very frightened, and it distressed him. So he divided the people with him, and the flocks, cattle, and camels, into two camps. For he said, ‘If Eisav comes to the one camp and strikes it down, then the remaining camp shall survive’” (Bereishis 32:8-9).
The Ramban explains based on a Midrash, that this episode is a herald of similar events that will occur to the Jewish people throughout the generations; a concept known as ma’aseih avos siman l’banim. He says that descendants of Eisav in single locations will place upon us harsh decrees – sometimes on our property and sometimes on our lives – but the evil decrees will never directly affect the entirety of the Jewish people. One king will act brutally in his own land, nevertheless in another land a king will act with mercy and save the remnant.
We pray to the King of Kings that all of the Jewish people in all of their dwelling places be blessed with peace.
Good Shabbos!
