Back in 1996, Rabbi Finman was asked to speak to the niece of one of his students. After spending many hours answering her questions, the woman gave Rabbi Finman her e-mail address. Rabbi Finman wrote the woman a note and included in it a short insight into that week's Parsha and a short Chasidic story.
Realizing that this was something no one was yet doing,, Rabbi Finman sent the missive to his mailing list of about 30 people. Requests from recipients friends came pouring in. The next week Rabbi Finman sent the e-Parsha to 100 people. Within a year more than 2000 people were receiving it. Today, more than 14,000 receive the e-Parsha weekly and the requests keep coming in.
Vayishlach 5785
Vayetzei 5785
Toldos 5785
Chaya Sora 5785
Vayera 5785
Vayishlach 5785
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This week's YouParsha Vayishlach - Yaakov wrestles an Angel http://youtu.be/TNk9VehtLEg
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Parsha Vayishlach - Genesis 32:4 - 36:43 - features the encounter between Yaakov and his brother Esau as Yaakov returned from Uncle (father-in-law) Lavan. Esau encouraged Yaakov to travel together. Yaakov responded that the children were frail and the animals young. To push them, even for one day, would kill them. Yaakov would meet up with Esau in Seir. Yaakov never went to Seir. It is written in the Midrash that Yaakov will go to Seir when Moshiach comes.
The Gemora speaks of two ways that Moshiach can come: In his time or we can hasten Moshiach's coming with our good deeds. There are advantages to both. If Moshiach were to come early, however, it would mean that those aspects of the world that require further refinement would not be proper vessels for containing the great revelation and be "left behind" - blown out of existence.
Jacob initially sent word to Esau that he, Jacob, had fulfilled his life work and was ready for Moshiach. Jacob understood that Esau and his portion of the world had not been rectified. Moshiach's coming would have been disadvantageous to a great percentage of the world.
Jacob chose the slow road for his children and the bringing of Moshiach. By doing so, he allowed us the opportunity to perfect our portion and make it a vessel for G'dly revelation. Being in exile opens a channel to fall prey to Esau - the coarse physical world with all of its pleasures. One who travels with Esau will be overcome by the world and its problems. If, however, a person sees that the exile is a mere façade and our being in exile is to subdue and convert to good the power of Esau, then we will be able to neutralize the Esau and Moshiach will indeed come - in his time.
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The Following was heard from Rabbi Yossi Jacobson:
Rachel was a typical Jewish Baby Boomer from a strongly Jewish but non-observant home. Spiritual by nature, she became somewhat of a hippie in the Sixties. She wandered around the world until she landed in New York. An acquaintance mentioned Crown Heights. "You really ought to see the rabbi there. He’s something else." So, she was schlepped to 770 - Chabad headquarters. The Rebbe was about to give a talk to women and girls.
Afterwards, he remained in his place while each woman approached the Rebbe. Rachel said to the Rebbe, "I am not here because I believe in you or in any of this stuff. This seems like a cult." The Rebbe listened in good humor and smiled. The Rebbe said, "So, why did you come?" "I’m majoring in psychology. My parents want me to stay in school but I would rather go to the Far East and study pottery. What do you think I should do?" asked Rachel. The Rebbe responded. "I think both options are wonderful and interesting. Pottery and psychology are both worthy vocations. I cannot tell you that one is better than the other. But I have a third idea." His eyes sparkled. "Why not devote some time to get to know yourself? To discover what it means to be human and Jewish?"
She appreciated the Rebbe’s response. She appreciated his not being offended by her comments and being open to her and her needs. She respected the fact that the Rebbe offered a highly perceptive response- as she was a deep thinker and an idealist. Someone suggested she attend Bais Chana - the Chabad women’s institute in Minnesota. She scheduled an audience with the Rebbe. She entered this time with more reverence and asked if the Rebbe thought she should go. The Rebbe smiled. "Of course, I think you should go to Beis Chana." She went to Bais Chana and the rest is history.
The real message: here was someone in the Rebbe’s face, saying she believes in nothing. She was ostensibly being disrespectful to the entire movement to which he devoted his life. Certainly, the Rebbe had every reason to scold her and put her in her place. But, what would have been achieved? The Rebbe wanted to give her the gift of self – the gift of embracing her own soul, her own identity, so he spoke a language that related to her. Rabbi Jacobson finished the story: I know this story well for this woman is my mother-in-law, Mrs. Rochel Shlomo, from Pittsburgh.
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