Parashas Vayishlach - Protection Comes Through Torah and Mitzvos

In the beginning of the Parasha, Yaakov sent messengers to Eisav to tell him, “I lived by Lavan and was delayed until now.” Rashi commented that “Lived – Garti” is the gematria of 613, connoting that Yaakov lived with the wicked Lavan for 21 years and kept all 613 mitzvos. Nor did he learn from Lavan's wicked ways. [32:5]

The message Yaakov sent Eisav was implying that Eisav should abandon his plans to destroy him [since Yitzchak's blessing to Eisav was that he would only have power over Yaakov in the event that Yaakov would transgress the commandments.]

In Parashas Toldos [27:40,] when Eisav wept over the blessing Yaakov 'stole' [in reality, Yaakov bought the rights to Eisav's firstborn blessings,] Yitzchak reassured Eisav, “When you have been caused grief, you will throw off his yoke from your neck.” Rashi explains there, “When the Jews will transgress the Torah, and you will have a reason to grieve over the blessings which he took [since he'll feel they are not deserving of the blessings,] then you will throw off his yoke from your neck.”

It's interesting to note that Rashi says, “When the Jews will transgress” (and not, “When Yaakov will transgress.”) Why did Yaakov send a message implying, “I have kept all 613 mitzvos while living with the wicked Lavan?” What about 'the other Jews' - his children? Did they keep all 613 mitzvos?

When the messengers came back saying that Eisav was still upset and coming to meet him, Yaakov got “frightened and distressed. He then divided his camp into two.” If he kept all 613 mitzvos, then there's no reason for him to fear, right? Unless, what he feared was that perhaps his children might have sinned and therefore Eisav might have the upper hand.

Kol Yisroel Areivim Zeh LaZeh – All Jews Are Guarantors For One Another. If one Jew sins, we're all responsible. Whatever current events are going on in the world are pretty scary. We have many enemies who want to destroy us! The only way we'll win is by keeping Hashem's Torah and Mitzvos. Granted, there are many non-religious Jews who don't keep the Torah and Mitzvos, but we've got to start somewhere. We should work on ourselves first and daven that Hashem will protect us all. Hopefully our Torah and Mitzvos will influence others to follow in Hashem's ways.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,

Nisso