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Why does the Torah (תורה) list wives before children when Esav travels, but children before wives when Yaakov travels? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod distinguishing Esav's view of money as a tool for consumption and pleasure from Yaakov's view of money as a trust and responsibility. This explains why Yaakov risked danger to retrieve small jars—because money isn't measured by what it gives you, but by what you can do with it.
Rabbi Zweig opens by noting an apparent textual inconsistency. When Esav relocates in Bereishis 36:6, the Torah (תורה) lists his wives before his children. When Yaakov journeys in the previous parsha (Bereishis 32:23), the Torah lists his sons before his wives. Yet in another verse describing Yaakov's travel (Bereishis 32:23), the order reverses: wives precede children. Rashi (רש"י) highlights the first discrepancy but offers no explanation. The shiur sets out to resolve this contradiction. The second textual puzzle centers on Bereishis 32:25. Yaakov moves his family across the brook at night, then returns alone to retrieve small jars he had left behind. An angel (described as "ish") wrestles with him until dawn. Rashi, citing the Gemara (גמרא), explains that Yaakov went back for minor possessions because "the righteous treat their property with care—their money is more precious to them than their bodies." This statement is jarring: why would a rational, righteous person risk his life for trivial items? What virtue is there in such behavior?
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Bereishis 32:23-25, 33:9-11, 36:6
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