THE QUESTIONS ESAU ASKS US

Occasionally, a biblical verse will leap off the page indicating that it has a relevance not merely to the time and place in which it was originally uttered, but for all generations.

Such a passage occurs in this week’s parasha when Jacob sent his agents to bring gifts to Esau, ahead of their meeting.

Jacob told his men: Esau will ask you three questions:

“To whom do you belong? Where are you going? For whom are these before you?” (Bereishit 24:18)

Rabbi Joseph B Soloveitchik (d.1993) explains that these questions are addressed to all of us, whoever we may be, wherever we may be.

“To whom do you belong and where are you going?” – These are metaphysical questions. They challenge us to declare that we are proud to be Jews, that we are members of a community with an historic destiny. We are being asked, who is your G-d, what is your way of life? To whom have you consecrated your future? What do you dream and pray for?

However, continues Jacob, Esau will ask you a third question:

“For whom are these before you?”

This question is related to the here-and-now. Your wealth, your talents, your capabilities and your energies, your wisdom and your experience – are you willing to contribute to the society in which you live? Are you ready to involve yourselves in the wider social, material welfare of the country in which you reside?

The answer Jacob instructs his messengers to say:

“You shall say, [I belong] to Jacob; This is a gift sent to my master.” (ibid. v.19)

Jacob told his agents to answer the third question in the positive. “This is a gift sent to my master.” We should feel obligated to enrich society with our talents and to be engaged, constructive and useful citizens. By contrast, the first two questions relate to our spiritual identity. Here, Jacob commanded his messengers to be forthright and unequivocal. 

“I belong to Jacob and his G-d.” We are Jews. Our historic destiny, our religious personality and commitment belong to G-d and his servant, Jacob.

Esau’s questions ring out in every generation, not least in December 2022.

As the temperature dips this weekend, we are acutely conscious that many people in the country at large cannot afford to heat their homes or put food on their table. As Jews, we have a responsibility to society and its wellbeing and we must help in whatever way we can. At the same time, our identity as members of the Jewish community challenges us. Can we grow as Jews? Can we inspire our family and our friends to enrich their Jewish heritage? Whatever the outside temperature, can we keep the fire of Torah burning in our homes and in our community?