The Sidurei Shel Shabbos (Chelek 2, Derush 8) brings a Midrash that describes an event during the confrontation between Eliyahu HaNavi and the nevi’ei haBaal on Har HaCarmel. The bull designated for the false prophets refused to go with them, recognizing that it was being taken for idolatry. All 850 false prophets couldn’t move that bull, and Eliyahu Hanavi had to personally reassure the bull that by going, it would ultimately bring about a kiddush Hashem. Only then did the bull agree to go.
Rav Chaim Kaufman in Mishchas Shemen builds on this Midrash to explain the phrase min haba b’yado. Like the reluctant bull in the time of Eliyahu Hanavi, the animals Yaakov chose to send Eisav were similarly reluctant to leave the realm of holiness. These animals, having been under Yaakov’s care, were imbued with an elevated spiritual state and did not want to be handed over to Eisav, who represented impurity and unholiness.
Yaakov had to take those animals "in his hand". He reassured the animals that by going to Eisav, they would ultimately fulfill a greater purpose and bring about a kiddush Hashem. Yaakov promised them that their journey to Eisav was part of Hashem’s divine plan, and that in the times of Mashiach, all the gifts sent to Eisav would be returned to the Jewish people, as the Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 78:12) states.
The Chida in Nachal Kedumim explains that not only will the animals Yaakov gave Eisav be returned when Mashiach comes, but even their descendants—all offspring that stemmed from those animals—will also be returned to the Jewish people. The animals given to Eisav were not just physical, tangible gifts – they were part of a complex divine plan, a journey that is still not complete. When Mashiach comes and purity triumphs, these gifts will be returned to us. May it happen
