Insights into this Week’s Parsha

And Esav ran toward him, and he embraced him and fell upon his neck and kissed him. (33:4) The Midrash says Esav did not come to kiss Yaakov, but rather to bite Yaakov. But the Pasuk says to kiss him? A kiss from a person like Esov, is in reality a bite to Yaakov. Yaakov doesn’t need friends like that. Friendship and love from Esov, causes pain and hardship to Yaakov. (Chidushei Hori"m of Gur)

Now, let my master go ahead before his servant, and I will move at my own slow pace, according to the pace of the work that is before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my master, to Seir. (33:14) Jacob promised to visit Esau at his home in Seir. However, he never went to Seir. Did Jacob lie? No. For he will go in the days of Moshiach, as it is says (Obadiah 1:21): "And saviors shall ascend Mt. Zion to judge the mountain of Esau." (Rashi)

Let my master go ahead of his servant; I will make my way at my slow pace (33:14) The midrash says: Esav asked Yaakov, "Are you not afraid of the powerful and frightful individuals that you will meet along your way?" Yaakov answered, "I will go along gently and softly." Rav Henach Lebowitz (son of Rav David Lebowitz) says that this midrash teaches us the Jewish way in exile, where the gentiles have the upper hand. We do not challenge our enemies; we go about our business quietly and in an unobtrusive way, and then we need not be afraid. (Chiddushei Halev)

And Esau said: Please let me leave with you some of the people that are with me (33:15) Esau suggested that he leave special teachers with Yakov and his family, to teach them the finer points of "civilization" - social conventions, foreign languages and popular fashions - so that they could quickly climb the social ladder, but Yakov refused his brother's offer. "What need is there?" Yakov replied. "I have no interest in assimilating, to find favor in your eyes or the eyes of the nations." (Chasidic Sages)