Vaysihlach: Content
Two Brothers Two Mentalities
Our forefather Jacob sent a gift to his brother Esau. Esau declared, “I have plenty my brother, let what is yours remain yours,” and refused to accept the gift. Jacob insisted that it would be a pleasure to grant the gift since, “ G-d has been gracious to me and I have all (that I need).”
Note the difference between their expressions. Esau says, “I have plenty” Jacob says, “I have all.” A man like Esau is never satisfied, as much as he accumulates, he desires more. He knows he has plenty but he is still unwilling to declare that he has enough.
Jacob on the other hand does not say I have plenty he says I have all – he may not have *very much but he has all that he needs.
Reflection
In our own lives we too need to decide whose model we will follow. That of Jacob or that of Esau.
* In Jacob’s case he did indeed have great wealth. The intended point is that Jacob did not emphasize the size of his wealth but that his needs were provided for.
