Passover Listings Stands with Israel

We want to do everything, but we feel like we can’t do anything at the same time. It’s a universal feeling right now among Jews, we are emotionally and mentally drained. How much more can we take?

“Hakol Kol Ya’akov v’Hayadayim Yedei Eisav ” is the phrase that Yitzchak Avinu said in Parshat Toldot when giving his sons, Yaakov and Eisav their blessings. The voice is the voice of Yaakov, and the hands are the hands of Eisav. When Yitzchak was in his older days and was suffering from loss of eyesight, he realized his end was near. He asked Eisav, his older son, to hunt for an animal and prepare it according to Jewish law so that Yitzchak can bless him for honoring his father. Rivka Imeinu, Yitzchak’s wife, heard what her husband was telling Eisav and told Yaakov, her younger son, that he should be getting the blessing instead. Rivka prepared the meal for her husband and told Yaakov to bring the meal to Yitzchak. She also told her son that she will cover his skin with goat’s hair to mimic Eisav’s hairy arms. Due to his lack of eyesight, Yitzchak will assume Yaakov is Eisav and will bless him. Additionally, Rivka gave Yaakov one of Eisav’s clothing that smelled like the outside field to ensure that Yitzchak would think he was blessing Eisav.

Frightened, Yaakov went to his father and answered his questions, “I am Eisav, your first-born.” Yitzchak was confused, the voice sounded like Yaakov’s, not Eisav’s. Yitzchak questioned Yaakov as to how fast Eisav was able to hunt a meal, “Hashem, your G-d caused me to find it,” answered Yaakov. Eisav never used Hashem’s name when speaking, this statement caused Yitzchak to ask Yaakov to step forward so he could feel his skin. Luckily Yaakov’s “skin” was hairy, just like Eisav’s. Yitzchak then ate the food that was prepared and then blessed Yaakov that “the other nations will serve you, and you will be a master over your brothers. Whoever curses you shall be cursed, and whoever blesses you shall be blessed.”

Yaakov finally got the special blessing from his father. Until Eisav came back from hunting many hours later. He brought the food to his father ready for his special blessing, when Yitzchak told him, “How can that be, someone was just here, he gave me food and I blessed him! Cleary, Hashem caused this to happen, and this person must be the one who really deserves the blessing.” Eisav was extremely angry and began to beg his father for a blessing. Yitzchak agreed saying, “I will bless you also, but I cannot make you a master over your brother. I already gave Yaakov that blessing.” Yitzchak blessed Eisav saying, “You shall be successful when you go out to war, but you cannot overcome your brother. However, if your brother Yaakov’s descendants will transgress the Torah, then your descendants shall rule over them.”

There is a lot to unpack here. Firstly, Jews have the upper hand when it comes to praying. Our weapon in war is prayer and turning to Hashem. Eisav married the daughter of Ishmael, the patriarch of the Arabic people. As we can all see, Eisav defends themselves with guns, rifles, missiles, and innocent Palestinians and Israelis. Eisav’s hands are full of blood, hate, and war, while Jew’s hands are full of prayer and Torah. If we do not keep the Torah, pray to Hashem, and use our mouths and hearts for doing good, Eisav will be successful in war. If we keep the Torah, focus on loving every Jew, giving charity, and so on- that is how we will be victorious.

Do not focus on the physical aspects of what you can do during these times. Focus on what you can do spiritually, donate to the hundreds of organizations out there helping Israel, take a mitzvah upon yourself, give charity every day, focus on loving every Jew, not speaking Lashon Hara, and other good deeds that are listed in the Torah. We have all seen the countless acts of kindness and generosity happening all over the world now, especially amongst Jews. Seeing the unity and support between our Jewish brothers and sisters is heartwarming. Do what you can, focus on the good, instead of focusing on controlling the world. As we can see our actions and efforts are paying off. Thank G-d, hostages have been released, we must keep praying and doing good deeds. Passover Listings supports Israel, our home, and we believe that Mashiach is right around the corner.