MAINTAINING BALANCE
As Jews, we know that HaShem created this universe for the expressed purpose to pro-vide pleasure for others. With this understanding it follows that He is the personification of goodness. His sole interest is the welfare of others. To this end, He created a world that contains uncountable forces and each force has its counterforce that opposes it. His world lies in perfect balance. Gravity pulls the Earth towards the Sun but it is countered by the centrifugal force which pulls it away from the Sun. This perfect balance allows the Earth to continue its movement around the Sun in a perfect orbit. The same occurs in our stomach when the corrosive enzymes break apart the foodstuff but are countered by forces that protect the stomach wall. HaShem is the Master of balance.
It is for this reason that one of the Names of HaShem is Shalom – Peace. There is no con-flict before Him. Just as balance is so critical to the universe so too it is critical for the society of people who populate the universe. It is no wonder that a main principle of Torah is to love our neighbor as we do ourselves. Everyone has their respective role to play. Discord can only cause the unraveling of this perfect balance.
Having said this, how do we understand the words of the prophet Malachi. In this week’s Haftorah Malachi tells us that HaShem loves Yaakov and hates Eisov. And this hate carries over to the righteous as the Psalmist writes in Chapter 139 how he holds the epitome of hatred for those whom HaShem hates. What is the function of this hatred?
This hatred is first introduced to us in this week’s Parsha, Toldos, in which Yaakov and Eisov are born. Our Sages teach us that among the many laws that govern this world is the law that Eisov hates Yaakov. Gravity pulls down, centrifugal forces pulls out and Eisov hates Yaakov. It is interesting to note that there is no law that Yaakov hates Eisov. In fact, when we are not attentive to our duties to HaShem we so often become friends with Eisov. What is the na-ture of Eisov’s hatred and why is there not counterforce to Eisov’s hatred?
Yaakov is identified as the one who carries HaShem’s Presence in this world. When one wishes to attack HaShem, their target will be Yaakov. When one wishes to connect to HaShem he will connect to Yaakov.
The core of Eisov’s existence stands to oppose HaShem’s residence in this world. His hatred to Yaakov is the expression his hatred of HaShem. Eisov looks to unravel the balance, he looks to undo the Shalom of the world. It is no wonder why HaShem hates Eisov; he looks to unravel HaShem’s careful balance.
Why did the Master of all laws create such a law? And wh ere is the counterforce?
We are the counterforce. Armed with His Torah we are able to counter Eisov’s hatred. We are equipped to neutralize his force, but it does not come naturally. It requires a conscious and concentrated effort on our part to fight that hatred. Just as the Psalmist writes, it is our duty to hate those who HaShem hates.
The reason He created such a law was specifically to give us the opportunity to participate in creating this balance. As our rejection of Eisov increases the stronger the world’s balance becomes.
As King Solomon teaches us; there is a time for love and a time for hate. Only when Moshiach comes with the eradication of Eisov, will there be absolute unity, until then we must secure the balance by hating Eisov. It is no wonder why every Jew must anticipate and hope to see the day when there will be no fracture; when HaShem will be One and His Name will be One.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind