Yaakov Avinu sends Angels to Eisav to relate a series of messages. In one of them Yaakov declares how affluent he has become."ויהי לי שור וחמור וצאן ועבד ושפחה - And I have come to posses oxen, donkeys, sheep, slaves and maids." However, we need to understand why the list was limited to these items. Surely Yaakov Avinu had camels and other animals. He had many more material objects. Why did only these make the list?
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| R' Meir Simchah HaKohen, author of the Ohr Sameach and the Meshech Chochmah |
R' Meir Simcha of Dvinsk in the Meshech Chochmah explains that these are unique in that they have particular Kedushah that can be attached to them. There is the Mitzvah of Bechor with oxen and sheep. There is the Mitzvah of Peter Chamor with the donkey. And when one takes a slave or maidservant he brings them into the realm of holiness by obligating them in Mitzvos!
What Yaakov was saying to Eisav was essentially very threatening. He was highlighting his ability to neutralize all impurity and draw all things under Kanfei HaShechinah. Yaakov was declaring his confidence to overcome any pitfall that Eisav might lay forth to bring Yaakov down.
More on this to come.
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