The Eighth section of the Chumash / Book of Genesis chronicles Jacob’s challenges as he returns to the Land of Israel, after concluding his stay in Aram. He is to meet his grudge-bearing brother Esau, who he hears is ready to attack him with a full army. Jacob sends messengers to inform Esau that he wishes to make peace with him. He responded by saying that he was ready to confront him with his battalion.

Jacob dispatched angels…(32:4)

Divine Providence is always presenting us with opportunities to engage in various mundane activities. This does not mean however, that G-d wants us to take every opportunity – even one that might appear to serve some holy purpose. G-d might want us instead to recognise the possible harmful spiritual effects of a particular opportunity and therefore turn it down. We must therefore carefully assess every opportunity presented to us before taking it.

Jacob “sent messengers” to assess the extent to which mundane opportunities – our personal Esau’s – stand to be beneficial or detrimental. The “messenger” that we dispatch is our imagination. Imagining ourselves engaging in an activity presented to us allows us to gauge its effect first.

Wishing you a successful week followed by a meaningful Shabbat.
With our continued prayers for a long lasting peace in Israel with Moshiach, and the return of our remaining hostages for burial in our Holy land.