Dear Friends,
“Let mine be mine and yours be yours.” Such is a teaching in our extra-biblical code of Jewish law, the Mishnah. It seems so simple, yet when there are disputes, it can be the most profound.
We find this expression in the long-awaited reunion of Jacob and his estranged twin brother, Esau, in this week’s Torah portion. Jacob had fled twenty years earlier after wrangling his elder brother’s birthright, when Esau had threatened to kill Jacob. Yet, in our portion, today, the brothers meet out in a wide field, Esau accompanied by 400 men, and Jacob with his entourage of wives, children, workers and herds. Jacob was terrified for his life and the lives of his family.
Jacob was prepared to surrender his property to the mightier Esau, while Esau was impressed with the richness of his brother. When Jacob offered all that he had to placate Esau, his brother replied, “I have abundance, my brother, let mine be mine and yours be yours.”
At first glance is a shocking turn of events. The reader is expecting enmity and revenge from Esau. Yet, time likely tempered his anger. But there was more: the material success of both men, and their self-assuredness in their achievements, allowed them to be magnanimous. They both recognized that despite the dispute over the birthright, and the transfer of paternal blessing and property which accompanied it, that both of them had amassed more than sufficient riches. They could drop the hostility which had been triggered when they were young and effectively penniless.
Hence: “… let yours be yours.”
In today’s day of hyper-hostility, of economic pressure, job disruptions, and politicians fighting for every little advantage, the generosity of spirit to announce, “let yours be yours” is powerful and inspiring. Obviously, Moss Hart was correct: “You can’t take it with you.”
Somewhere in the journey of life, we should learn as did Esau and Jacob to accept our lot, be comfortable in our achievements, and feel satisfied in our possessions. Only then can we truly declare, “… let yours be yours.”
In this week before Thanksgiving, it would be nice if such could be our message.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
“Let mine be mine and yours be yours.” Such is a teaching in our extra-biblical code of Jewish law, the Mishnah. It seems so simple, yet when there are disputes, it can be the most profound.
We find this expression in the long-awaited reunion of Jacob and his estranged twin brother, Esau, in this week’s Torah portion. Jacob had fled twenty years earlier after wrangling his elder brother’s birthright, when Esau had threatened to kill Jacob. Yet, in our portion, today, the brothers meet out in a wide field, Esau accompanied by 400 men, and Jacob with his entourage of wives, children, workers and herds. Jacob was terrified for his life and the lives of his family.
Jacob was prepared to surrender his property to the mightier Esau, while Esau was impressed with the richness of his brother. When Jacob offered all that he had to placate Esau, his brother replied, “I have abundance, my brother, let mine be mine and yours be yours.”
At first glance is a shocking turn of events. The reader is expecting enmity and revenge from Esau. Yet, time likely tempered his anger. But there was more: the material success of both men, and their self-assuredness in their achievements, allowed them to be magnanimous. They both recognized that despite the dispute over the birthright, and the transfer of paternal blessing and property which accompanied it, that both of them had amassed more than sufficient riches. They could drop the hostility which had been triggered when they were young and effectively penniless.
Hence: “… let yours be yours.”
In today’s day of hyper-hostility, of economic pressure, job disruptions, and politicians fighting for every little advantage, the generosity of spirit to announce, “let yours be yours” is powerful and inspiring. Obviously, Moss Hart was correct: “You can’t take it with you.”
Somewhere in the journey of life, we should learn as did Esau and Jacob to accept our lot, be comfortable in our achievements, and feel satisfied in our possessions. Only then can we truly declare, “… let yours be yours.”
In this week before Thanksgiving, it would be nice if such could be our message.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
