5784/2023
Do we need a divine message to tell us every course of action in life? In Parashat VaYishlach, the Mefarshim debate the meaning of the word מלאכים in “וַיִּשְׁלַח יַעֲקֹב מַלְאָכִים לְפָנָיו אֶל־עֵשָׂו אָחִיו,” “and Yaakov sent מלאכים before him to Eisav, his brother” (BeReishit 32:4). Rashi (s.v. VaYishlach Yaakov Malachim) argues that מלאכים means angels, while Chizkuni (s.v. VaYishlach Yaakov Malachim) maintains מלאכים means a regular messenger.
Rav Moshe Feinstein formulates a beautiful compromise for this debate. First, he asks why it would mean human messengers: מלאכים literally translates to angels. However, how could Yaakov Avinu send angels to Eisav and rely on a miracle when we know “אין סומכים על הנס,” we do not rely on miracles, no matter how great a person is! Rav Moshe answers that a miracle is something that breaks the laws of nature. Yaakov Avinu was so great that angels were a part of his life and not a rare occurrence for him, so he could comfortably send angels as messengers.
Yet this answer raises another question based on the next Pasuk: “וַיְצַו אֹתָם לֵאמֹר כֹּה תֹאמְרוּן לַאדֹנִי לְעֵשָׂו כֹּה אָמַר עַבְדְּךָ יַעֲקֹב,” “And he commanded as follows: “Thus shall you say, ‘To my lord Eisav, thus says your servant Yaakov” (ibid 32:5). It is clear Yaakov Avinu is still scared of Eisav, referring to himself as a servant and Eisav as his master, despite his ability to rely on miracles! Ramban (s.v. Ko Tomeroon) explains that Yaakov Avinu sent messengers out of fear of Eisav, a fear so great that Yaakov Avinu ignores his first-born rights and respects Eisav instead because of the magnitude of his fear. To strengthen the question, Ramban writes in his introduction to Parashat VaYishlach that Yaakov sent מלאכים specifically to not depend on his righteousness to save him.
There are at least two answers to defend Rav Moshe’s interpretation. First, there is a clear distinction between waiting for a miracle to save Yaakov’s life and using a miracle to send messengers; it is like buying lottery tickets in addition to earning a steady salary versus depending on the lottery to live life. A second answer can be found in Ramban’s introduction to VaYishlach: Yaakov Avinu was setting a precedent for future generations – essentially מעשה אבות סימן לבנים, forefather’s actions are a sign for descendants – for dealing with Eisav. We should follow in Yaakov Avinu’s footsteps and take his blueprint of splitting his camp, davening, and sending presents to Eisav; we should both turn to Hashem and take matters into our hands. Yaakov Avinu took this course of action to prove that a “Hashem Hotline” – and divine advice – is not necessary to survive; rather, all we need is trust in Hashem and a desire to succeed.