Reunions
We encounter our patriarch Jacob in a time of trouble in this week’s parasha, vayishlach. After having tricked his brother earlier in life to steal the birthright, he now prepares to reunite with his brother. The Torah, usually sparse with details, gives us a window into Jacob’s fear. He carefully divides up his group and sends gifts ahead to his brother.
With Thanksgiving a few weeks behind us and Hanukkah and Christmas a few weeks ahead, we find ourselves in reunion season. Like Jacob, we may have own fears associated with these reunions. The family member who aggressively disagrees with your politics or life choices. The uncomfortable questions about your future you do not want to answer. Or maybe your fears center around what it means to be without family at this time of year.
Whatever emotions we bring to these encounters, may you be blessed like Jacob, with loving reunions, sometimes in most unexpected places.
– Rabbi Avi Fine