Page 467 - BERESHIT

Yaakov arranged a meeting with Eisav and sent presents and messengers,
indicating his eagerness for peace. We would surmise then that Yaakov
wanted to solidify their relationship, and only prepared for war as a last
resort. Yet after their encounter, Yaakov turned down Eisav’s gesture of
goodwill and rejected his offer to accompany him. What made Yaakov
change his approach?

Yaakov prepared for similar conflicts in future generations. The conflict
between Yaakov and Eisav was of a spiritual nature. Eisav’s contention
that this world was meant to be enjoyed for its own sake runs contrary to
our belief in Hashem and the World to Come. Faced with such a
conflicting ideology, Yaakov felt the need to stress the correct approach
to life.

When Eisav sought to continue their journey together, Yaakov saw that
his evil desires of wanton behavior still lingered and festered within. He
could not bring himself to give up physical pleasures in order to acquire
a spiritual portion in the World to Come. Eisav did not consent to the
inferiority of this world’s ‘goods’ or to the supremacy of the Torah’s
‘good.’

Why did Yaakov chastise his children for destroying the city of Shechem,
when he had been prepared to wage war against Eisav? Shimon and Levi
zealously fought to protect their own personal honor. It wasn’t a campaign
waged for the sake of Heaven or to uphold the tenets of the Torah. When
it comes to personal battles, one should strive to find a peaceful solution
and stay far away from conflict.