It is a truism among political and social commentators that we are a deeply divided society, cleaved in two with two different ways of viewing our country and the problems that we face. This was certainly true in our election with competing visions to save “the soul” or our nation. President-elect Biden ran on a promise to heal the divisions in our body politic. But is that even possible with divisions that run so deep on vision, policy and even the information we consume? This week’s Torah portion offers an optimistic answer. Jacob is returning to the Land of Cana’an after fleeing from his brother Esau 20 years earlier, when he had stolen his blessing from their father Isaac. Jacob and Esau have been competing with each other since they were babies, and Esau swore to kill Jacob for his treachery.
As they approach one another, they are each surrounded by their retinue–Jacob with his wives, children and livestock, Esau with 400 men. Jacob is afraid; he wonders if Esau will attack him and his family. Then Esau does something unexpected: he runs to Jacob and kisses him. Jacob offers Esau a gift, perhaps as atonement for all he has done. Esau answers, “I have enough, my brother; let what you have remain yours.” And Jacob responds, “No, I pray you; if you would do me this favor, accept from me this gift; for to see your face is like seeing the face of God, and you have received me favorably.”
I would like to think that Jacob and Esau can reconcile after a lifetime of conflict, because they can finally see each for who they truly are, not opponents, but brothers. They see one another’s humanity. That is what it means to see God in another person’s face.
Perhaps the lesson for us is this, that we must see the humanity in others, if we are to bridge our divide. This applies to all. To see each other as human beings and fellow citizens and find a way to connect.
Vayishlach, Genesis 32:4-36:43, Parshat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, December 5, 2020
December 4, 2020 by Dean Kertesz •
It is a truism among political and social commentators that we are a deeply divided society, cleaved in two with two different ways of viewing our country and the problems that we face. This was certainly true in our election with competing visions to save “the soul” or our nation. President-elect Biden ran on a promise to heal the divisions in our body politic. But is that even possible with divisions that run so deep on vision, policy and even the information we consume? This week’s Torah portion offers an optimistic answer. Jacob is returning to the Land of Cana’an after fleeing from his brother Esau 20 years earlier, when he had stolen his blessing from their father Isaac. Jacob and Esau have been competing with each other since they were babies, and Esau swore to kill Jacob for his treachery.
As they approach one another, they are each surrounded by their retinue–Jacob with his wives, children and livestock, Esau with 400 men. Jacob is afraid; he wonders if Esau will attack him and his family. Then Esau does something unexpected: he runs to Jacob and kisses him. Jacob offers Esau a gift, perhaps as atonement for all he has done. Esau answers, “I have enough, my brother; let what you have remain yours.” And Jacob responds, “No, I pray you; if you would do me this favor, accept from me this gift; for to see your face is like seeing the face of God, and you have received me favorably.”
I would like to think that Jacob and Esau can reconcile after a lifetime of conflict, because they can finally see each for who they truly are, not opponents, but brothers. They see one another’s humanity. That is what it means to see God in another person’s face.
Perhaps the lesson for us is this, that we must see the humanity in others, if we are to bridge our divide. This applies to all. To see each other as human beings and fellow citizens and find a way to connect.