Today's date and time:

Sermon for Sidra Vayishlach
December 2008
by Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman

On Motzaei Shabbat our shul has the great honour of hosting the annual Chevra Kaddisha’s Siyum and Dinner in the presence of the Chief Rabbi and Lady Sacks. Although this is a function for all those associated with the Chevra Kaddisha – I just want to share the information with you that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the voluntary sector of the North East London Chevra, which was established by R’ Aron Dov Sufrin, Z’L and lehibodel bein Chayim lechayim, Mrs. Henny Sufrin. We as a community are indebted to their work, together with all those who work with the chevra and to all those who give of their time for “Chesed shel emes”- this act of true kindness. One of the greatest things that we can do in showing our appreciation is for more of our members to come forward and volunteer to join the work of the Chevra Kaddisha. If anyone here feels that they would like to know more then please see Darren Hambling – one of our wardens who is also the secretary of the Chevra. Thank you.

And now on to our Sidra:

Our Sidra Vayishlach begins with confrontation and fear. Jacob takes the huge journey to meet his long estranged brother. Remember that the last time they saw each other was when Jacob had stolen Esau’s blessing and as a result he had sworn to kill his brother. Jacob then encounters a weird experience, wrestling with a “man” who according to some of Chazal (the Rabbis), was non other than the “Sar shel Esav” - the protecting angel of Esau. Eventually the two brothers meet; they exchange pleasantries and part, each going on their separate way. Later when Isaac dies at 180 years old, both Esau and Jacob attend to his burial together, united in grief and brotherhood.

But then the last chapter of the Sidra is taken up with the genealogy of Esau, 43 verses in total, some say to show that as promised, Esau too would be a founder of a mighty and numerous nation.

One of Esau’s grandson’s was non other than Amalek – the founder of the ruthless Amalikites, who were the very first national enemy of our people, who attacked the Children of Israel on their exodus from Egypt when they were weak and tired.

The names Esav, Seir, Edom, Amalek - are all synonymous with the hatred for the Jew in the world, which our Rabbis formulated into the principle: “klal hu – she-Esav soneh es Yaakov” – “That Esau hates Jacob”. So where does it end – does our Sidra leave us on low? Was the reconciliation of Esau and Jacob short–lived? What does the future hold for us? And is there hope for the future of world Jewry?

The answer is given in the Haftarah, coupled to our Sidra. Whether the one taken from the prophet Hosea, who promises G-d’s compassion for his people Israel, when they serve him with showing mercy and practicing justice. And even more so, is there hope in the message of Ovadiah which is the Sephardi tradition for the Haftarah. For Ovdiah prophesises that Israel will triumph over their enemies, that the forces of evil will never obliterate the Jewish people from the face of the earth – because Israel’s faith in G-d and the truth that G-d has invested in Israel, are eternal. It is the great Prophet Ovadia, who truly gives us hope.

We are essentially a people of hope. After all - we as a people were building a new State of Israel as the Nazis attempted to annihilate the Jew from the world. Our centuries' old dream of return to Eretz Yisrael became a reality in our time in the aftermath of the holocaust – that surely is a message of vision and hope.

And so it is throughout our history we never resigned ourselves to so called fate or heavenly decrees. We struggled like Jacob with the angel, with faith in G-d's eternal promise that the world has to be a better place, all nourished by the belief in the coming of the Moshiach.

So whether it is the horrible events in Mumbai, the rise in European anti-Semitism, holocaust deniers, Palestinian terrorists or any other antagonists who wish to see our disappearance - we trust in G-d and live positively with hope in a better future.

On a lighter note, last Sunday night I went with my wife to hear Barry Manilow (the Rebbetzin who is a great fan of his). He’s a great performer and he’s so proud of his Jewish roots. He always comes out with stuff about his childhood and his obviously Jewish background growing up in Brooklyn. And so in introducing one of his well known songs he said it was about his favourite word – hope. The song was “Just one voice singing in the darkness” – which illustrates how one person can influence and change so much.

Since I was a teenager, the singing of Hatikvah has always moved me - it has always stirred my very soul – to me it is the ultimate song of hope.

Let us celebrate our Jewishness in pride – in the pride so well displayed in the celebration of Chanukah.

Let us sustain our souls with faith in the Almighty who promises our people eternity.