IT’S ONLY IN HIS KISS

The meeting between Jacob and Esau in Vayishlach after 34 years of separation, and so many festering years of enmity, is surprisingly positive — despite Jacob’s fears. Esau rushes up to his brother to kiss him, and they reconcile like brothers excited to see each other after such a long period of being apart.

But the commentaries appear divided. Was the reunion actually so wonderful? Were Esau’s kisses and his embrace really heartfelt?

Rabbi Dunner offers an overview of the Midrashim and later commentaries to get a sense of what really happened on that fateful day, and what it should mean for us so many thousands of years later.