Ten Minutes of Torah

with

Rabbi Chaim Weiner

 

 

Vayishlach – 5767

 

 

בראשית לב:כו

 

וַיַּרְא כִּי לֹא יָכֹל לוֹ וַיִּגַּע בְּכַף יְרֵכוֹ וַתֵּקַע כַּף יֶרֶךְ יַעֲקֹב בְּהֵאָבְקוֹ עִמּוֹ:

 

Genesis 32: 26

 

When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled with him.

 

 

 

 

Ramban

 

When he saw that he had not prevailed against him. This entire event constitutes a hint to his generations, indicating that there will be a generation from the seed of Jacob against whom Esau [Rome] will prevail to the extent of almost uprooting his seed. This occurred in one generation during the period of the Sages of the Mishnah, which was the generation of Rabbi Judah ben Baba and his companions  … And what did the Romans do in that generation? They would bring iron balls and heat them in fire and then place them under their armpits and cause their death. And there are other generations in which they have done to us such things and even worse, but we have endured and it has passed over us, just as it is hinted in the verse – and Jacob came in peace [Gen. 33:18].

 

 

 

QUESTIONS

 

  1. What type of commentary is this?
  2. If this interpretation is correct, explain why this vision comes between Jacob preparing for his encounter with Esau and the actual meeting?
  3. Is Ramban’s explanation of verse 33:18 the simple explanation of this verse?

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:

 

 

How do these two explanations differ?

 

Jacobs invites his wives to the field to tell them that he wishes to return to Canaan. According to the Midrash – his motivation is sinister – he fears that someone will try to listen in on the conversation, and it is not easy for an intruder to hide in a field. Radak sees this as an innocent choice – Jacob is working in the field, so he invites his wives to meet him there.

 

 

 

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Ten Minutes of Torah was prepared by Rabbi Chaim Weiner, based on the methods of Prof. Nechama Leibowitz. Rabbi Weiner studied and corresponded with Prof. Leibowitz for several years.

 

 

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