Rabbi's Corner

By human nature, we tend to adapt our behavior to our surroundings, meaning that we act like those people with whom we are at the time be it our friends or our neighbors.  We had direct evidence of this last Sunday as close to 200 people gathered at CSS to honor Jacques Lurie for the 18 years he has functioned as Educational Director and Executive Director.  We gathered with an intended purpose and that was to celebrate Jacques' dedication and commitment to CSS.  We see in this week's parashah, Parashat Vayishlach, how important it is to be associated with people whose ultimate goal is to live in peace.

We read the following in this week's parashah: "Rescue me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Eisav." (Bereshit 32:12)  The scenario as presented in the Torah is that Ya'akov was on the road traveling to reconnect with his brother when he received the report that Eisav was heading towards him with no fewer than 400 men.  It is at that moment that Ya'akov prayed the words just cited imploring HaShem's help.  The question is asked as to why Ya'akov repeated himself in describing Eisav.  Why did he use the term "my brother" as well as Eisav's name?  Our commentators state that Ya'akov's fear was two-fold.  First and foremost, he was afraid that Eisav, the man, would threaten his physical survival.  But Ya'akov was also afraid that in greeting him as his brother, Eisav would have a negative influence on his family if both brothers ended up making peace between themselves.  This is why he prayed for HaShem to save him from the two possible outcomes.It is remarkable that Ya'akov prayed for his spiritual well-being before he prayed to be rescued from possible physical harm.  He was more concerned about the negative influence Eisav might have on him than he was about his own life.

Here at CSS, we are not merely members of a Synagogue.  We are a family with all the ups and downs any family experiences.  In spite of this, we must "keep our eyes on the prize."  We must always remember to concentrate our efforts on what unites us as a family.  We must always work towards the "shalom bayit" (peace of the home) which enhances our family life here at CSS.