Blessed Beyond Merit

This week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), reveals one of the most poignant stories in scripture. Jacob had escaped his brother Esau’s temper more than thirty years prior. Now, Esau approaches with a formidable army of 400 men.

Decades earlier, following his mother Rebecca’s command, Jacob had taken with ‘guile’ two blessings meant for Esau from their father, Isaac. It is crucial to differentiate this act from the Abrahamic blessing Isaac deliberately granted to Jacob, ensuring that the spiritual legacy of Avraham would remain with the Jewish people through him.

As the encounter loomed closer, Jacob devised a three-part strategy to ease Esau’s hostility. He sent a generous gift to win Esau’s favor, turned to G-d in heartfelt prayer, and prepared himself for conflict if necessary.

G-d blessed Jacob, transforming what could have been a fierce clash into a moment of deep if fleeting, reconciliation with his brother.

Upon examining the essence of Jacob’s prayer, we recognize that despite his many merits and prior divine promises of support and success, Jacob’s heart was still weighed down by fear. In Genesis Chapter 32:4-13, he earnestly cries out to G-d, humbly admitting, “I am no longer worthy, due to all the acts of kindness and trustworthiness that You have done for me…” Jacob sought G-d’s help by placing his faith solely in divine mercy rather than in his own achievements.

Following Jacob’s example, when we reach out for G-d’s assistance, we too should appeal to His infinite kindness and compassion. If we anchor our requests in our own sense of worth, even with our many merits, G-d’s response may be limited to those very accomplishments. However, when we humbly relinquish our sense of entitlement and rise above our narrow viewpoints, as Jacob did, G-d can shower us with blessings that transcend the ordinary limits of the world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger

y@tasteoftorah.org