Parashat Vayishlah- Optical Illusions
This week’s (Nov. 18th – Nov. 24th) schedule, for Rabbi Mansour, Cong. Bet Yaakob…
9:00 PM Monday, Nov. 19th Mens Class- Ein Yaakob (2nd Floor Midrash)
12:45 PM Monday, Nov. 19th Live Call-In 15 Minute Class on the Parasha
12:45 PM Tuesday, Nov. 20th Ladies Class at Lawrence Ave Synagogue in Deal
1:45 PM Tuesday, Nov. 20th Live Call-In 15 Minute Class on the Parasha
12:45 PM Wed, Nov. 21st Live Call-In 15 Minute Class on the Parasha
12:45 PM Thursday, Nov. 22nd Live Call-In 15 Minute Class on the Parasha
1:15 PM Thursday, Nov. 22nd Ladies Class at Har HaLebanon
7:45 PM Thurs, Nov. 22nd Men & Ladies- Parasha Insight at Har Lebanon
8:15 AM Friday, Nov. 23rd Mens Class- Parasha (2nd Floor Midrash)
4:00 PM Friday, Nov. 23rd Mens Class- Mishna Berura (2nd Floor Midrash)
4:10 PM Friday, Nov. 23rd Minha
4:14 PM Friday, Nov. 23rd Candle Lighting
5:30 PM Friday, Nov. 23rd 30 Minute Class on Sefer Hinuch follows Arbit
7:00 AM Shabbat, Nov. 24th Shaharit followed by Seuda and Class
3:50 PM Shabbat, Nov. 24th Minha followed by Seudat Shelishi, Derasha, & Arbit
5:12 PM Shabbat Ends Havdallah
5:45 PM Shabbat, Nov. 24th Daf Yomi
5:45 PM Shabbat, Nov. 24th Class on Shoftim with Rabbi Escava
7:15 PM Saturday, Nov. 24th Mens & Ladies- Class on Tehillim at Har Lebanon
Parashat Vayishlah- Optical Illusions
The Torah tells in Parashat Vayishlah of the final confrontation between Yaakov and Esav, in anticipation of which Yaakov sends gifts – or, more accurately a bribe – in an attempt to appease his brother. As he dispatches the servants assigned to bring Esav the herds of animals sent as the bribe, Yaakov instructs them, "Ve'revah Tasimu Ben Eder Le'ven Eder" – "make a space in between each herd and the next" (32:16). Yaakov had his servants deliver the animals in small installments, rather than bring them all at once. Rashi explains that Yaakov here employed a technique to make the bribe appear bigger than it really was. Even though Esav would receive the same number of animals had they come all at once or in small increments, they would appear more numerous if they would arrive in several installments. Yaakov therefore ordered that the animals be delivered in installments, in the hope of thereby earning his brother's favor.
This incident demonstrates just how deceptive our eyes can be, how that which we see is often illusionary, giving us an inaccurate picture of reality.
We find other examples of this deceptive power of vision earlier in the Book of Bereshit. Hava made the fateful decision to partake of the forbidden fruit in Gan Eden because of the alluring appearance of the fruit: "The woman saw that the tree was good to eat and that it was appealing to the eyes" (3:6). She understood full well that God had designated this fruit as "off limits," but its appearance distorted her perception. Similarly, in Parashat Toledot (25:30), the Torah tells that Esav entered the home as Yaakov prepared a stew, and Esav asked his brother to feed him "some of this red stuff," agreeing even to relinquish his birthright in exchange for a portion. Here, too, the appearance of the food led Esav to afford it far greater importance than it really deserved, to the point where he gave away the eternal privileges of the birthright for some of this food.
This concept has expressions in Halacha, as well. The great Misva of Bikur Holim – visiting ill patients – should preferably be performed in the middle of the day, rather than early in the morning or late at night. The reason is that in the morning, after a good night's sleep, the patient appears revitalized and refreshed. The visitor might therefore conclude that the condition is not serious, and he will not pray on the patient's behalf. Conversely, at night the patient appears worn and fatigued, and the visitor might reach the conclusion that there is little hope for the patient's survival. Halacha therefore urges visitors to come specifically towards the middle of the day, when they will get a fairly accurate impression of the patient's condition.
This Halacha applies even though the visitor will presumably speak to the patient – and perhaps even the doctor – about his illness and will learn the precise prognosis. Intellectual knowledge is not always consistent with visual impression, and therefore despite what the visitor hears, the patient's outward appearance will have a significant effect on his assessment of the situation.
Likewise, there is a widespread practice to cover one's eyes as he recites the verse of "Shema Yisrael." The declaration of "Shema Yisrael" constitutes an affirmation of the fundamental tenets of Jewish faith – the oneness of God and His authority over the universe. When one takes a superficial look around the world, however, he receives a different impression; he does not immediately recognize God's existence. When one see disasters, tragedies and corruption, it becomes less obvious to him that there is a Supreme Being governing the world. World events are an illusion of sorts, that could potentially mislead a person and undermine his faith. Therefore, when we declare "Shema Yisrael," we cover our eyes so that we do not look upon this illusion, and we can then affirm our belief in God definitively and wholeheartedly, without any reservations or confusion.
Appearances can be misleading, and can leave us with a distorted perception. We must remember at all times to rely on logic and intellect rather than visual appearance, and ensure not to be misled by what our eyes show us.
