“And Yaakov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.” (Bereishis 32:25)
The Midrash on this verse tells us that the “man” that Yaakov Avinu wrestled with was an angel who represented Eisav. Rashi mentions that Yaakov went to retrieve small, inconsequential containers and it was at that time that he was confronted by the angel.
The Gemorah explains that the righteous value their money (or possessions) more so than their own body. The Gemorah continues to explain that this is because they have acquired their possessions ethically and honestly, free from any tinge of theft. Therefore, their possessions, even seemingly inconsequential ones, are precious to them.
We may ask, it is very noble that the righteous value their possessions exceedingly because they achieved them without any tinge of theft, but should anyone value their possessions more than their life? It is also interesting to note that a little earlier in the Parsha we learn of the large gift that Yaakov prepared to give to Eisav (numerous goats, camels, cows, etc.) If he indeed valued his possessions, perhaps a smaller gift to Eisav was in order?
To better understand the Gemorah above, let us envision a Torah scholar who is diligently studying the Talmud. Due to his dedication and depth of his study, he discovers profound new ways to understand the Talmud and its commentaries. Often, he makes multiple discoveries on each page. To ensure that he does not forget his thoughts, he writes each of them down on an index card. He continues this practice as he goes through the Talmud. He finishes the Talmud in this manner, and then finishes the Talmud again and again in this manner. You can well imagine that after many, many years of study, the Torah scholar may have a collection of many thousands of index cards.
Now imagine, Heaven forbid, that there is a fire in our Torah scholar’s home. The fire is burning closer and closer to the room where our Torah scholar keeps his thousands of index cards, essentially his life’s work. Would he not enter that room to save his index cards even if it endangered his life?
And so it is with the righteous. Yaakov’s inconsequential containers were in fact, his life’s work. It represented to him a lifetime of ethics and diligence in honesty, to make certain that his possessions were only acquired through the most honest of means, down to the most inconsequential of containers. Therefore, it would follow that he would risk his life for them.
It is important to note that the righteous would still not be allowed to risk their lives for their possessions if it meant placing their lives in grave danger. The situation that the Gemorah is discussing above is one of moderate danger. And even placing one’s life in moderate danger to save one’s possessions would not be permitted, unless we are discussing the righteous who are confident that they have lived a life of honesty and integrity, down to the last, “inconsequential container.”
However, as careful as the righteous are with their possessions, they understand that to save a life, one should spend lavishly. This is responsive to our second question above – Yaakov felt that the gift he was to give Eisav could appease his violent anger and save his life and the lives of his family. He therefore spent lavishly.
Yaakov’s “inconsequential containers” represent his badge of honesty, integrity and devotion to Emes. He was honest down to the last cent. It was this honesty that allowed him to wrestle with the angel that represented Eisav and come out victorious.
