Reply To: Chukas — Yisrael’s Potential

The issue between Esav and Ya’akov becomes troublesome when Ya’akov seeks out Esav. This is the lesson of parshas Vayishlach – when Ya’akov sent shluchim to Esav, Esav turned toward him with a threatening 400 men. The better path would have been not to approach Esav at all, simply returning to Canaan quietly. The Devarim posuk highlights for us when we are brothers with Esav – only when he seeks us out. He has little or nothing to offer us, so we have no need of him; but when he approaches us for assistance, we must welcome him as a brother.