HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

Parashat Vayishlach

Kislev 16, 5783 / December 9-10, 2022

Torah: Genesis 32:4 – 36:43

Haftarah: Obadiah 1:1-21

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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Channah bat Feiga, Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, David Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, Kislev 21. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - may his memory be a blessing.
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HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

"Esau said, ‘I have a lot; my brother, let what is yours be yours.’ And Jacob said, ‘… Please take my present that I have brought to you, for God has favored me, and I have everything.’ And he urged him, and he took." Genesis 33:9-11

"Meeting between Esau and Jacob", Giovanni Maria Bottala, ca. 1640

In his commentary "Kli Yakar", R. Shlomo Ephraim Lunshitz (d. 1619) wonders about this exchange between the brothers. Esau has "a lot" – he is wealthy and powerful. Jacob offers him a gift, saying that he has "everything". Esau accepts, and does not reciprocate. Kli Yakar says that one who says he has "everything" means "what I have is enough for me. I am satisfied with my lot." But one who merely says, "I have a lot" always wants more.

I am certain that virtually everyone reading this e-mail has "a lot". Perhaps we are not wealthy and powerful in the way that Esau was, but we have food, clothing, shelter, modern conveniences, toys of various sorts, etc. How many of us are prepared, like Jacob, to say we have "everything"? Why aren’t we satisfied? Why do we want more? I believe it is because we are unable, or more likely, unwilling, to say, "God has favored me." Where's the gratitude? Without acknowledging that higher source, without opening up our spiritual side to be satisfied with that which God has given us, we will always have "a lot", but never "enough" – let alone “everything”.

Jacob gave a gift to someone who was at least as rich and powerful as he. He had his reasons. For those of us who have “a lot” or “everything”, are we prepared to give some of it up to those who have only a little or perhaps nothing at all - the poor and the hungry and the homeless? When we do, that is even greater testimony that God has favored us.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B’nai Hayim/Congregation Beth Meier
.אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הַלוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1
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