UNRAVELING FEAR AND FAITH
Genesis 35:11
“Jacob became very frightened, and it distressed him…” Genesis 32:8.
After hearing that his brother Esav was coming toward him with 400 men, the Torah tells us of Jacob’s trepidation.
However, during Jacob’s awesome dream of a ladder reaching up to the heavens with angels ascending and descending, Hashem assured him that “I am with you; I will guard you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15). So how do we understand Jacob being so distraught in our verse?
Jacob was not distressed by the impending attack of Esav – he was upset for being so scared after G-d promised that He would always protect him! His fear is what distressed him. (The Chozeh of Lublin)
By Rabbi Michael Skobac
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