Yaakov's Dividing of his Camp/2
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Yaakov's Dividing of his Camp
Exegetical Approaches
Yaakov Split his Camp
Yaakov split his camp as originally planned. This position subdivides regarding whether the goal was to escape from Easv or to confront him.
Flight
Yaakov split his camp so that at least one portion of his household could flee and escape Esav's wrath.
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.
"וַיַּחַץ אֶת הָעָם אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ" - Who was to be in each camp?
- 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.1 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 were in another camp. 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.
"וְהָיָה הַמַּחֲנֶה הַנִּשְׁאָר לִפְלֵיטָה" – Purpose of the division – Yaakov hoped that if one camp was attacked, the other would be able to escape. The word "פְלֵיטָה" is understood as "refuge".
Why send to Seir? According to both these sources, Esav had not yet permanently moved to Seir, but lived there part time. Netziv maintains that Yaakov sent messengers specifically there so as to test out Esav's feelings towards him. He thought that in Canaan, out of deference to his father, Esav would not act on his hatred even if he was still angry, leaving Yaakov in doubt whether he was still in danger or not.
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.
Sources:Rashbam
