It then took six days to reach Ma’arat HaMachpeila – and the Chatam Sofer points out, that took place on Asara B’Tevet. This was the day Yaacov Avinu was buried, and who made an appearance out of nowhere to show up at the event? Eisav! At the age of 147, Eisav stood up and declared that his father would not be buried there. He claimed the land and cave as his, denying everyone else access. There was a signed document sitting somewhere in Egypt that would prove all moneys owed to Eisav were paid up, and the land of Ma’arat HaMachpela rightfully belonged to Yaacov Avinu and his children. “Go get it,” retorted Eisav. Naftali, fast as a deer, sped off to retrieve the document. But in the meantime, Chushim, the son of Dan, approached and asked what the commotion was all about. He refused to accept that his grandfather would lie disrespectfully on the ground for two days until the paperwork was cleared. He picked up a stone and delivered such a whack to Eisav’s head that his eyes were knocked out of their sockets. (Tosfot (Gittin 55b) says he was not killed by this blow though, and it was Yehuda who came along and delivered the final shot.) Eisav’s eyes popped out and rolled to the feet of Yaacov Avinu, at which point Yaacov opened his eyes – יַעֲקֹב אָבִינוּ לֹא מֵת – and smiled.
Tomorrow is the hillula of Eisav, but no Mishnayot learning is necessary. The Chatam Sofer says, remember, this day was given the powers to take off the head of Malchut Edom! If Eisav’s head could roll on that day, so could the head of Sinwar, yimach shemo. And not just him. Mohammed Deif too, and Nasrallah, and all members of Hezbollah, yimach shemam v'zichram. But I’m not satisfied with heads and need no heads. What I need is one thing – Malkeinu v'Rosheinu. I need Melech HaMashiach and I need the Beit Hamikdash. Hakadosh Baruch Hu will take care of the evil ones as He decides fit, and there is but one thing to ask for: Send us Mashiach Tzidkeinu! We won’t wait until chas v’chalilah another war front ignites, and we’re left asking why we didn’t storm the gates of Heaven sooner. If only we knew what would take place this year in the days and weeks after Simchat Torah, would anyone have left shul on Yom Kippur? We’d have stormed the Heavens and not left until answered. Today is the day to do so once again. And we cannot say we didn’t know! We know! And we know what is warming up in the North. Do not be like the people of Yerushalayim who sat back and enjoyed their Iron Dome miracles and felt no need to inspect their ways and wake up. Take advantage of the day! Pray for this evil decree to be ripped up! For the injured to be healed! For the hostages to be returned safely! For all the displaced families to be spared all difficulty and challenges! Pray for Hakadosh Baruch Hu to help us all by bringing us the Mashiach!
