Vayishlach presents us with a showdown between Yaakov and Eisav that was years in the making. The Parsha begins with Yaakov's preparation for what could have potentially been a war between families. Luckily, the story has a happy ending of sorts as the brothers embrace and go their separate ways. However, when reading the text, one can't help but feel a passive-aggressive type of communication which makes us sense the uneasiness on both sides.
In today's day and age this uneasiness hits too close to home way too often. Antisemitism is on the rise and we too must take precautionary steps to be mindful and wary of those who seek to do us harm. The events in Jersey City this week should be an eye-opener for us all. While the events were unfolding, I was "relieved" to hear that this did not seem like an attack on Jews, though it was still terrifying and awful. However, those thoughts quickly disappeared as reports emerged (as of the time of this writing) that indeed, Jews and Jewish locations were targeted. In Jersey City! Only miles from Livingston!
So where do we go from here?
For one, let us appreciate the security measures we have put in to place and continue to work on daily in our community. Let us thank law enforcement officials who put their lives on the lone for us each and every day. Let us honor and remember Detective Joe Seals OB"M, a fifteen year veteran of the force and a father of five. Let us be mindful of our surroundings. Let us pray for Shalom Al Yisrael.
