Thursday, November 19, 2020

Yaakov In Disguise

Yaakov receives his name because he was grabbing onto Esev's heel.  Why is that a significant fact to name after, how does that accurately describe Yaakov? Everyone asks why did Yitzchok want to give the blessings to Esev? 

The Sefer Hachaim (Maharal's brother) in Geulah Ch. 8 explains that had Yitzchok given the berachot to Yaakov directly, then the berachot would have been shared with the future generations only if they are acting like Yaakov.  Therefore, Hashem designed the plan that Yitzchok should intent to give the berachot to Esev so that the berachot will always be given to the future generations for they are no worse then Esev.  The Rim says that is why Yaakov had to receive the berachot wearing the clothes of Esev.  This demonstrates that even if a Jew looks like Esev, they will still merit the berachot.  The Sfas Emes adds even if the ידים are ידי עשו, the קול that emanates from the ויפח באפיו is still קול יעקב.  The Yismoch Yisroel says that is what it means  'ראה ריח בני כריח שדה אשר ברכו ה.  Just as if one is in a nice smelling garden, even if some fertilizer is added, the bad smell is temporary, but does not ruin the innate smell of the field, so too the soul of the Jew may be tainted by some bad smells, but the sweet smell of the soul is never ruined.  That is why Yaakov is named after grapping Esev's heel.  This means that even one who has fallen into the traps of Esev has a little Yaakov pulling them back.  Yaakov didn't need the berachot for his own merit, it the guarantee that a little Yaakov will remain inside every Jew.

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