Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

At the outset of Parshat Vayishlach, Jacob hears that Esau is approaching him with four hundred armed men. It  makes sense that Jacob fears the worst. Over twenty years earlier, Jacob had left home and distanced himself from Esau over severe conflict, Now, some two decades later, Jacob must be thinking that the same conflict is coming to a head. What to do? Jacob prepares himself and his family for potential conflict in three ways. First, he divides his family into two camps, so that if one camp must wage battle, the other camp will escape and preserve the family legacy. Second, Jacob prays to God in a most humble way. He is contrite and sincere before God. Knowing, however, that one does not rely on a miracle, Jacob prepares in a third way, by having his messengers offer gifts of peace and appeasement before Esau.

These three steps of preparation for conflict resolution are instructive on a deeper level. First Jacob looks within himself (and his family). Second, Jacob looks upward to God for divine assistance. Third, Jacob looks outward toward establishing peace directly with Esau. These three modalities have served humanity over the ages in dealing with potential and actual conflict. In Jacob's case, depending on one's view, the brothers peacefully unite with their years of conflict being either totally removed or lessened to a great degree.

May the example of Jacob in this week's Parsha serve as a lesson plan for us in our own contemporary situations.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Howard Morrison