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VaYishlach (Shabbat - Sat. 2nd December – 14th Kislev) - Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video

958 views · Published 27 November 2017 · 1:49 · Indexed 31 October 2026

Channel: Spiritgrow · 2017 · Education

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VaYishlach (Shabbat - Sat. 2nd December – 14th Kislev) 
Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video

Kill ‘Em With Kindness

SUMMARY: Eisav’s hatred and jealousy of his brother Jacob, spilled over into threat of open warfare. Family internecine rivalries always bring out the worst in people because of the deeper sensitivities that exist in a family, and the higher expectations of each other. Jacob’s approach is to assuage his brother’s rage with enormous array of gifts. It works.  Because Hessed will always triumph over Gevura 

Family feuds are always the most deep-seated and intransigent. Why? It’s ironic that with those whom we are closest we are also the most aggressive and cutting. People simply reduce this to a simplistic phrase of ‘family politics’ The reason why family fights are the most intense is because we expect more from family.  We demand more from family. And the higher expectations create more intense sensitivities and profounder and deeper-seated emotions.

This was no less the case in the feud between Jacob and Eisav . Not that Jacob harboured any negative feelings. The shoe was on the other foot. Eisav always resented Jacob receiving their father’s primary blessings. And as time passed his feelings became increasingly exaggerated. And it reached a point that Eisav decided to wage war on his brother and vanquish him.

This week’s parsha begins with Jacob receiving word of the impending battle. He strategizes and decides that the best way to neutralize his brother’s hate was to win him over with gifts and he does so bringing thousands of domesticated animals as a gifts. 

It works. Eisav’s anger is assuaged. 

What does this teach us.  That fire will always be put out with water. Gevurah will always be subdued by Hessed. Kindness will always triumph. 

Are you involved in a family feud?  Try to kill’em with kindness.

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