The Evil Empire - Which One?

The Patriarch Jacob, on his way back to the Land of Israel after many years abroad, learns that his brother Esau is coming to meet him. He prays to God:

“Deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him…” (Genesis 32:12)

Hassidic commentary on this verse asks why Jacob repeats himself, first saying “my brother” and then “Esau.” One answer is that the evil inclination can come to us in different guises. Sometimes it comes openly, as “Esau,” the man we are afraid of as he blatantly tempts us to do what we know is wrong. Sometimes, however, it comes as “my brother,” telling us how much he cares about us, how much he only wants to bring us benefit, and how much this proposition he is presenting will help us get on in life.

Tellingly, Jacob first asks God to save him from the evil inclination in brother form, as this is the greater danger.

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hassidism, would say that he prefers a sinner who knows he is a sinner to a righteous person who knows he is righteous.

His great-grandson Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (Ukraine) said, “The world fools you – but don’t fool yourself!”

The news is full of “brothers” and “Esaus” and telling them apart isn’t always easy. But God has promised us that if we will only turn to him sincerely and ask for His help in knowing the truth, He will open our eyes.