Like Jacob

There is a major controversy going on among Jewish patriots (what others call the "right") recently, that's since Disengagement and Amona.

Many preach refusing to enter the army and vote in Israeli elections. I can understand their anger and disgust with the system, but by giving in and "disengaging" from our national rights and obligations, we are only making things worse for ourselves.

We have to emulate our forefather Jacob,

וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ
הַנְּעָרִים וַיְהִי עֵשָׂו אִישׁ יֹדֵעַ צַיִד אִישׁ שָׂדֶה וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ תָּם
יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִֽים׃
And the boys grew; and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of
the field; and Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

In spite of Jacob's nature, he learned how to deal with Essau's type of character. His mother, who had grown up with it, sent him to her family to train and toughen him.

וְעַתָּה בְנִי שְׁמַע בְּקֹלִי
וְקוּם בְּרַח־לְךָ אֶל־לָבָן אָחִי חָרָֽנָה׃
Now therefore, my son, hearken
to my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

And he learned his lesson well at his Uncle Lavan's home. So, when the time came for the two brothers to meet up, again, Jacob was ready. He knew what he had to do, and he didn't shirk, even though some of the things were against his nature.

Jacob prepared for meeting Essau in three ways:

Before meeting his brother Esau (who was coming to kill him), Jacob utilized three strategies: (1) he sent gifts to appease Esau, (2) he prayed for Divine assistance, and (3) he prepared for war.

For us, today voting in the elections and serving in the army are the preparations we must make to defeat the modern Esau, in addition to our prayers to G-d.

Next week is Purim, the holiday of the "hidden hand of G-d." The holiday which celebrates surprise turns and our defeat of the enemy.

Shabbat Shalom