Torah Teasers
Parshas VAYISHLACH
Why Didn’t Eisav Marry Le’ah? Upon Yaakov’s return to Eretz Yisrael, when his encounter with Eisav became inevitable, Yaakov sent a message to Eisav saying, “Im Lavan Garti… Vayehi Li Shor Vachamor…;I lived with Lavan and I have accumulated a great deal of assets.” (Vayishlach 32:5-6) What message was Yaakov sending to Eisav with these two seemingly irrelevant details about his life which Eisav already knew?
The Ben Ish Chai answers with another question. Everyone knew that Lavan had two daughters and they were supposed to marry Rivka’s two sons. Why, after Yitzchok sent Yaakov to Lavan, did Eisav not also go to take Leah for his wife?
The Ben Ish Chai answers that after Yaakov stole the Brachos from Eisav, Eisav said, “Now I know why they call him Yaakov, because he tricked me twice.” From then on before dealing with anyone Eisav checked into his name. Lavan’s name turned out to be a disaster. Lavan backwards is “Naval” or despicable. No one ever went into Lavan’s house and came out safely. He was the Sitra Acher and everything he did came out backwards left to right. Furthermore, Naval is the name of the Malach responsible for poverty, something that Eisav wanted no part of and was terrified of. Yaakov wanted to let Eisav know that his power was beyond the realm of nature. Not only did he come out of Lavan’s house alive, but he also came out with a large family, and he even became very rich. He conquered a place that Eisav feared to tread… and he was prepared to face off against his brother, as well.
Yaakov Was Not Interested In A Bracha From Eisav’s Malach “Lo Ashaleichacha Ki Im Beirachtani,” (Vayishlach 32:27). Yaakov told the Malach with whom he wrestles all night that he will not release him until he gives him a Bracha. Rashi explains that Yaakov demanded that this Malach, who was the Malach of Eisav, finally agree that Yitzchok’s Brachos rightfully belong to Yaakov, and that Eisav stop contesting it. Why does Rashi say this instead of just learning simply that he wanted a bracha from the Malach?
The Sfas Emes answers that Yitzchok gave Yaakov the bracha of “Umivarachecha Boruch”, those who bless you will be blessed.” Because of this it is not possible to imagine that Yaakov wanted a bracha from Eisav’s Malach as it in turn would bestow bracha on Eisav. Therefore, Rashi learns that it must be that he wanted acknowledgement on the brachos he received from his father, rather than for the Malach to give him a new bracha.
Why Yaakov “Broke Down” In Succos Yaakov cautiously returned to Eretz Yisrael, to go back to his parents, wary of Eisav. After the big showdown Yaakov went to Succos where he spent a year and a half, and then another half year in Bais Kel. The Gemara (Megila 17a) says that Yaakov was punished for those two years for not returning to his father. Why, after twenty years, did Yaakov wait another two years on the threshhold of his home, before going to his father?
Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Taama Dikra answers that Yaakov told Eisav that he could not go with him to Sai’ir because the children and cattle walked slowly. Yaakov did, however, tell Eisav that he would make his way there slowly. Had Yaakov turned around and gone home, Eisav would have felt fooled by Yaakov yet again. Therefore, to avoid further confrontation, Yaakov stopped in Succos, pretending to break down. He stayed there for enough time that Eisav would give up on him, realizing that, in fact, the journey is too much for his entourage. Only then did Yaakov finally return home to Yitzchok.
The Malach Was Ashamed Of His Own Name “Lama Zeh Tishal LShmi,” (Vayishlach 32:30) Yaakov asked the Malach what his name is, but the Malach refused to answer. Why? Rav Shmuel Aharon Yudelevitch answers that immediately prior to this conversation the Malach told Yaakov that he has a new name in honor of his victory over the Malach. If so, surely the Malach had a new name to commemorate this event as well. Yaakov wanted to know what you call a Malach that is defeated by a human. This shame, the Malach did not want to reveal to him.
Rochel And Yaakov Agree On Binyomin’s Name In her dying breath, Rochel named her newborn son Ben Oni. Yaakov then called him Binyomin. The Ramban explains that Ben Oni means the son of my mourning, whereas Binyomin means the son of my strength. Despite the sadness in the name given by Rochel, how could Yaakov change the name she gave him?
The Chasam Sofer explains that Rochel died when they arrived in Eretz Yisrael because Yaakov could not be married to two sisters and one had to die. Rochel could have avoided her tragic fate by not giving the Simanim to Leah on that fateful wedding night fifteen years earlier. However, it was her strength of character that caused her to take the courageous step of saving her sister’s shame at her own expense. It was this strength and courage that caused her to die when Binyomin was born. She named him Ben Oni, the son of my strength. Yaakov however was afraid people would think he was named after the the Aveilus and mourning that is also implied in the name, and, therefore, he clarified the name by calling him Binyomin, which clearly means strength, and has no connotation of sadness.
How Could Yaakov Deny Rochel’s Dying Wish? As Rochel was dying in childbirth, she called her newborn son, “Ben Oni; The son of my pain and mourning.” Yaakov called him, “BinYamin; The son of my strength,” from the word, Aven. Why would Rochel give such a depressing name, and how could Yaakov deny her dying wish? The Chasam Sofer explains that Rochel’s use of the word Ben “Oni” referred to the child of her strength. How? The reason Roshel died when they came to Eretz Yisrael is that Yaakov and all the Avos kept all the mitzvos while in Eretz Yisrael. Since he couldn’t be married to two sisters, Rochel being the second sister he married, was doomed to death upon their return from Chutz La’Aretz. This all happened to Rochel because of the strength and courage that she showed in helping her sister Leah marry Yaakov on what was to be her wedding night. Her death was another tragic consequence of this heroic and selfless act. Therefore, she called BinYamin the son of her strength.

Created By Avrohom Sherman
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