Parshat Vayishlach

Highlights of the Parsha
1. Yaakov Prepares To Meet Esav – and does so with gifts, prayer, and preparation for war.
2. Yaakov Wrestles With An Angel –It was Esav's guardian angel. The angels injures his thigh and ultimately blesses him before Yakkov releases him.
3. Yaakov & Esav Meet
4. Dina is kidnapped and raped. In revenge Shimon and Levi basically kill the entire city. NO COMMENT
5. Rachel Dies and is buried in Beit Lechem. Note: The Arabs say the tomb of Rachel is in A-Ram, North of Jerusalem and there would be some historical evidence to support this idea.
6. Yitzchak dies and is buried in Chevron.

Let bygones be bygones
"And Yaakov sent messengers before him to Esav his brother." The Midrash censures Yaakov for sending these messengers to Esav, for Esav had already calmed down about Yaakov taking the blessings from their father and was involved in his own matters. By sending messengers, Yaakov started up with Esav and aroused his anger. This is an important principle for two people involved in a quarrel. Once the matter has passed, don't say anything to the other person that would remind him of the matter. By bringing up the issue when it is not necessary to do so, you will start a new quarrel that is avoidable. Arguments should be forgotten, not remembered. (Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)

Appreciate all that you have
"And Yaakov remained alone." Chazal explain that Yaakov remained behind to retrieve some small jars. When we are aware that all that we have is measured out to us by Hashem for our benefit, we'll have a profound sense of gratitude. Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz cited the story of a philosopher who wished to be satisfied with the least amount of possessions that were actually necessary for survival. After thinking the matter over, he gave up everything he owned and kept only a pump to draw water from wells. Once, while he was walking on the road, he saw a caravan of people who stopped at a well and drank directly from it without any pumps or cups. He said to himself "Now I see that I don't need a pump." He immediately threw away the pump, his only remaining possession. From Yaakov, we learn otherwise. The spirit of the Torah is not to have nothing, but to have a deep appreciation for whatever we do have (Daas Torah: Bereshis).

Halacha: One Is Obligated To Accompany People Who Leave Our Homes.
Yaakov was vulnerable to attack by the angel since he was alone. We are obligated to accompany our guests a distance of at least approximately eight feet, show them the way and warn them of any pitfalls.

Halacha: When You Visit A Place, Contribute To Its Welfare.
When Yaakov arrived in Schehem, he contributed to its welfare (The Talmud differs on his contribution -- some say he established markets, others says he set up bath houses). One must contribute to physical and spiritual betterment of his surroundings.

Good Communication Brings Closeness
"And [Yaakov] commanded [his messengers] saying: this is what you should say to my master to Esav. This is what your servant Yaakov said: with Lavon I have dwelled and have been delayed until now." The Ohr Hachayim explains that Yaakov's intention in relating this information was to show his brotherly love for Esav. Sharing information is a sign of closeness and it was for this reason that Yaakov told Esav about both the good and bad that he had experienced. Being close to others requires that we open up and share our lives with them. (Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)