Parsha and Humanity: Toldot

A Midrash teaches, “It is known that Esau hates Jacob.” For many, this has been understood as a declaration of the immutable fate of the Jewish people: to be perpetually hated by the nations of the world. And indeed, antisemitism remains widespread even today. However, the relationship between the Jewish people and the rest of humanity is far more complex than this simplistic reading suggests. While hatred has often played a role, history also bears witness to moments of warmth and connection. This complexity is rooted in the dynamic relationship between Esau and Jacob. Though there were times when Esau was consumed by hatred, there were also moments when that hatred transformed into love. Exploring their story—from its beginnings in Parshat Toldot to their reunion in Parshat Vayishlach—may offer us valuable insights for our time.

After Jacob takes the blessings meant for Esau, Esau is overcome with fury and vows to kill his brother. Rebecca, discerning the danger, urges Jacob to flee and remain away until Esau’s anger subsides. At first glance, Rebecca’s hope seems overly optimistic. When Jacob returns after twenty years, Esau approaches him, flanked by hundreds of warriors. The situation is fraught with peril, reminiscent of the tragic fate of Abel at the hands of his brother Cain. Sensing the threat, Jacob prepares for their encounter in three ways: through prayer, by readying himself for combat, and by seeking reconciliation. Ultimately, it is the third path—reconciliation—that averts disaster.

Not only does Esau abandon his murderous intentions, but his heart softens, opening to love. The Torah vividly describes Esau running to embrace and kiss Jacob. Interestingly, in the Torah scroll, the word “kiss” (vayishakehu) is marked with dots, which the Midrash interprets as emphasizing the sincerity of Esau’s actions—he kissed Jacob with his whole heart. The verse concludes, “and they wept.” The Netziv, a great Torah commentator, notes a subtlety in the text: the verbs “embrace” and “kiss” are in the singular, reflecting Esau’s independent actions. However, “wept” is in the plural, suggesting that Jacob, too, overcame his fears in response to Esau’s transformation. Their shared tears perhaps mourned the years of lost opportunity to repair and deepen their brotherly bond.

Today, we face profound challenges and existential dangers. Like Jacob, we must adopt a threefold strategy: prayer, maintaining a strong and well-prepared defense, and cultivating the hope and belief in the possibility of coexistence and reconciliation. Together, these approaches can guide us toward the future we yearn for—a world where peace and understanding prevail.