Difference between revisions of "Yaakov's Dividing of his Camp/2"
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− | <category>Yaakov Split | + | <category>Yaakov's Camp Remained Split |
− | <p>Yaakov split his camp as originally planned.  This position subdivides regarding whether the goal was to escape from Esav or to confront him.</p> | + | <p>Before encountering Esav, Yaakov split his camp as originally planned.  This position subdivides regarding whether the goal was to escape from Esav or to confront him.</p> |
<opinion>Flight | <opinion>Flight | ||
− | <p>Yaakov | + | <p>Yaakov divided his camp so that at least one portion of his household could flee and escape Esav's wrath.</p> |
− | <mekorot>R. Avraham b. HaRambam #1, <multilink><a href="RBachyaBereshit32-9" data-aht="source">R. Bachya</a><a href="RBachyaBereshit32-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:9</a><a href="R. Bachya b. Asher" data-aht="parshan">About R. Bachya b. Asher</a></multilink>, Akeidat Yitzchak, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelBereshit32-8-18" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit32-8-18" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:8:18</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit33-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>,</mekorot> | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit33-1-213" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam #1</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit32" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamBereshit33-1-213" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:1-2, 13</a><a href="R. Avraham Maimonides" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Maimonides</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RBachyaBereshit32-9" data-aht="source">R. Bachya</a><a href="RBachyaBereshit32-9" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:9</a><a href="R. Bachya b. Asher" data-aht="parshan">About R. Bachya b. Asher</a></multilink>, Akeidat Yitzchak, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelBereshit32-8-18" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit32-8-18" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:8:18</a><a href="AbarbanelBereshit33-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:1</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>,</mekorot> |
+ | <point><b>"וַיַּחַץ אֶת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ" – Who was to be in each camp?</b><ul> | ||
+ | <li><b>Family versus possessions</b> – Abarbanel asserts that Yaakov placed his family in one camp and his possessions in the other.  Akeidat Yitzchak concurs, but assumes that Yaakov had some men of war accompany each group.</li> | ||
+ | <li><b>Maidservants versus real wives</b> – R. Bachya learns from <a href="Bereshit33-1-17" data-aht="source">Bereshit 33:2 </a>that the maidservants and children were in one camp with some of the possessions and hired hands, while Leah and Rachel and the rest of the property were in the other.</li> | ||
+ | <li><b>Division of possessions only</b> – According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Yaakov's servants, cattle and other possessions were split between the two camps, but his immediate family stayed with him. </li> | ||
+ | </ul></point> | ||
+ | <point><b>"וְהָיָה הַמַּחֲנֶה הַנִּשְׁאָר לִפְלֵיטָה" – Purpose of the division</b> – Though all these sources assume that the word "לִפְלֵיטָה" means an escape, they differ regarding the details of Yaakov's plan:<br/> | ||
+ | <ul> | ||
+ | <li><b>Save family</b> – According to Akeidat Yitzchal and Abarbanel, Yaakov was hoping that Esav would attack the camp with his possessions, allowing his immediate family to escape.  Akeidat Yitzchak assumes that Yaakov placed the less precious camp first, hoping that Esav wrath would abated after attacking it.  According to Abarbanel, in contrast, the two camps were separated by a river and at a significant distance from one another.  Yaakov hoped that Esav would be unaware of the existence of the second camp and assume that he had conquered all and leave. </li> | ||
+ | <li><b>Save some of all</b> – R. Bachya presents Yaakov as dividing his household more evenly, perhaps because he did not know which camp was to be attacked.<fn>He points to the advice given in Bavli Bava Matzia, that one should never "put all their eggs in one basket" but rather diversify one's investments.  See also <multilink><a href="BereshitRabbah76-3" data-aht="source">Bereshit Rabbah</a><a href="BereshitRabbah76-3" data-aht="source">76:3</a><a href="Bereshit Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bereshit Rabbah</a></multilink>.</fn>  Nonetheless, he still placed those most precious to him in the second camp.</li> | ||
+ | <li><b>Save possessions</b> – According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Yaakov preferred that his loved ones all share the same fate, be it death or salvation.  The division was simply an attempt to save whatever property he could, and was thus divided evenly. </li> | ||
+ | </ul></point> | ||
</opinion> | </opinion> | ||
<opinion>Fight | <opinion>Fight | ||
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<mekorot>Possibly <multilink><a href="RashbamBereshit32-57-9212325-29" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamBereshit32-57-9212325-29" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32: 5, 7-9, 21, 23, 25-29</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink><fn>Rashbam does not explicitly address the discrepancy between the description of the plan to divide the camp and the final meeting where no such division is mentioned, but his overall understanding of the chapter suggests this approach.</fn></mekorot> | <mekorot>Possibly <multilink><a href="RashbamBereshit32-57-9212325-29" data-aht="source">Rashbam</a><a href="RashbamBereshit32-57-9212325-29" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32: 5, 7-9, 21, 23, 25-29</a><a href="R. Shemuel b. Meir (Rashbam)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</a></multilink><fn>Rashbam does not explicitly address the discrepancy between the description of the plan to divide the camp and the final meeting where no such division is mentioned, but his overall understanding of the chapter suggests this approach.</fn></mekorot> | ||
<point><b>"וַיַּחַץ אֶת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ" – Who was to be in each camp?</b> According to this approach Yaakov put his servants and hired hands in one camp and his wives and children in another. </point> | <point><b>"וַיַּחַץ אֶת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ" – Who was to be in each camp?</b> According to this approach Yaakov put his servants and hired hands in one camp and his wives and children in another. </point> | ||
− | <point><b>"וְהָיָה הַמַּחֲנֶה הַנִּשְׁאָר לִפְלֵיטָה" – Purpose of the division</b> – The first camp was to act as a decoy and stay put to | + | <point><b>"וְהָיָה הַמַּחֲנֶה הַנִּשְׁאָר לִפְלֵיטָה" – Purpose of the division</b> – The first camp was to act as a decoy and stay put to detain Esav, thereby affording Yaakov's immediate family an opportunity to escape from danger.<fn>Yaakov might not have been worried about the safety of the first camp itself, assuming that Esav was looking to attack him personally.</fn></point> |
<point><b>Esav's intentions</b> – According to Rashbam, Esav had no evil intent and the 400 men accompanying him were an honor guard coming out of respect to Yaakov, rather than a fighting army planning to attack.  Yaakov, though, did not trust his messenger's report and feared that Esav must mean harm.</point> | <point><b>Esav's intentions</b> – According to Rashbam, Esav had no evil intent and the 400 men accompanying him were an honor guard coming out of respect to Yaakov, rather than a fighting army planning to attack.  Yaakov, though, did not trust his messenger's report and feared that Esav must mean harm.</point> | ||
<point><b>"וְהִכַּנִי אֵם עַל בָּנִים"</b> – These words highlight that Yaakov's main concern was that Esav would take out his vengeance on Yaakov's immediate family (the mothers and sons) specifically.  It is for this reason that it they whom he attempts to bring to safety.</point> | <point><b>"וְהִכַּנִי אֵם עַל בָּנִים"</b> – These words highlight that Yaakov's main concern was that Esav would take out his vengeance on Yaakov's immediate family (the mothers and sons) specifically.  It is for this reason that it they whom he attempts to bring to safety.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>Unanswered prayers</b> – According to this approach, Hashem might not immediately reassure Yaakov because Yaakov has misinterpreted Esav and he is really in no harm. Moreover, according to Rashbam, his whole plan to flee is misguided and he is punished for his lack of trust in Hashem's original promise to protect him.  Hashem relays this message through the confrontation with the angel/man (see below).</point> | + | <point><b>Unanswered prayers</b> – According to this approach, Hashem might not immediately reassure Yaakov because Yaakov has misinterpreted Esav's intentions and he is really in no harm. Moreover, according to Rashbam, his whole plan to flee is misguided and he is punished for his lack of trust in Hashem's original promise to protect him.  Hashem relays this message through the confrontation with the angel/man (see below).</point> |
<point><b>"וְהִנֵּה גַם הוּא אַחֲרֵינוּ"</b> – Rashbam asserts that when Yaakov sends the gift to Esav and has his servants say that Yaakov is following shortly, this a ruse intended to deceive Esav while he in fact runs away.</point> | <point><b>"וְהִנֵּה גַם הוּא אַחֲרֵינוּ"</b> – Rashbam asserts that when Yaakov sends the gift to Esav and has his servants say that Yaakov is following shortly, this a ruse intended to deceive Esav while he in fact runs away.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>Crossing the Yabok</b> – Yaakov's original plan was to have his personal camp flee to safety across the river, leaving the other to waylay Esav.</point> | + | <point><b>Crossing the Yabok</b> – Yaakov's original plan was to have his personal camp flee to safety across the river, leaving the other to waylay Esav.<fn>Rashbam finds a parallel to a nighttime escape over a river in David's flight from Avshalom (Shemuel II 17:22).</fn></point> |
− | <point><b>The struggle with the "איש"</b> – According to Rashbam, the confrontation was both punitive (for his lack of belief in Hashem's providence)<fn>This is the reason that he is hurt in the thigh.  Rashbam compares Yaakov to Moshe,  Bilam, and Yonah who also | + | <point><b>The struggle with the "איש"</b> – According to Rashbam, the confrontation was both punitive (for his lack of belief in Hashem's providence)<fn>This is the reason that he is hurt in the thigh.  Rashbam compares Yaakov to Moshe,  Bilam, and Yonah who also tried to avoid fulfilling the mission assigned to them by Hashem, and who were similarly punished. Each is put into a potentially fatal situation, and Bilam is also hurt in the leg.</fn> and preventative.  The angel detained Yaakov overnight, preventing his flight and forcing him into a meeting with Esav. </point> |
<point><b>Rearrangement of wives and family</b> – Perhaps, when Yaakov realized that he no longer had the opportunity to split his camp and have his family run to safety, he tried to at least order his loved ones so that the most precious would be furthest from danger.</point> | <point><b>Rearrangement of wives and family</b> – Perhaps, when Yaakov realized that he no longer had the opportunity to split his camp and have his family run to safety, he tried to at least order his loved ones so that the most precious would be furthest from danger.</point> | ||
</opinion> | </opinion> |
Version as of 03:03, 26 November 2015
Yaakov's Dividing of his Camp
Exegetical Approaches
Yaakov's Camp Remained Split
Before encountering Esav, Yaakov split his camp as originally planned. This position subdivides regarding whether the goal was to escape from Esav or to confront him.
Flight
Yaakov divided his camp so that at least one portion of his household could flee and escape Esav's wrath.
- Family versus possessions – Abarbanel asserts that Yaakov placed his family in one camp and his possessions in the other. Akeidat Yitzchak concurs, but assumes that Yaakov had some men of war accompany each group.
- Maidservants versus real wives – R. Bachya learns from Bereshit 33:2 that the maidservants and children were in one camp with some of the possessions and hired hands, while Leah and Rachel and the rest of the property were in the other.
- Division of possessions only – According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Yaakov's servants, cattle and other possessions were split between the two camps, but his immediate family stayed with him.
- Save family – According to Akeidat Yitzchal and Abarbanel, Yaakov was hoping that Esav would attack the camp with his possessions, allowing his immediate family to escape. Akeidat Yitzchak assumes that Yaakov placed the less precious camp first, hoping that Esav wrath would abated after attacking it. According to Abarbanel, in contrast, the two camps were separated by a river and at a significant distance from one another. Yaakov hoped that Esav would be unaware of the existence of the second camp and assume that he had conquered all and leave.
- Save some of all – R. Bachya presents Yaakov as dividing his household more evenly, perhaps because he did not know which camp was to be attacked.1 Nonetheless, he still placed those most precious to him in the second camp.
- Save possessions – According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam, Yaakov preferred that his loved ones all share the same fate, be it death or salvation. The division was simply an attempt to save whatever property he could, and was thus divided evenly.
Fight
The rearrangement of the camp was a military strategy, meant to facilitate the expected battle against Esav.
Change of Plan
Though Yaakov originally intended to divide his camp, he changed his mind before meeting Esav.
No Longer Necessary
After his victory over the angel/man, Yaakov no longer feared his brother and saw no need to rearrange his camp in preparation for the encounter.
- Split only non-family members – R. Avraham b. HaRambam asserts that Yaakov divided his possessions and larger household into two camps but that he kept his wives and children with him, distinct from both.2 He preferred that they all survived together or all perished together.
- Possessions split, children not – According to Netziv, Yaakov and his sons stayed together in one camp with some of the possessions and wives, while the rest of the property was in another camp.3 He assumes that Yaakov trusted in Hashem's promise that he and his children would stay safe and so he felt no need to split them.4
- According to R. Avraham b. HaRambam, the goal was not to enable potential for flight but rather a show of honor; he lined the family up according to their importance much the way dignitaries might be ordered in front of a king.
- Netziv, in contrast, suggests that this was a sign of submission. Since Yaakov had been hurt in the thigh by the angel, he was concerned that this might mean that Esav could still harm him a little, even if he would not be victorious. As such, he placed those less dear to him first that they should absorb whatever blow might be hit.
No Longer Possible
Though Yaakov wanted to split his camp right up to the moment of meeting, the struggle with the angel/man prevented him from being able to do so.