Appeasement – A Failed Policy – In Memoriam of Mr. David M. Warren (Menachem Dovid ben Harav Yosef Z’L)

As Jacob fled from Esau, traveling towards Haran, G-d appeared to him, promising to watch over Jacob and return him to Cana’an (Israel). Genesis 28:15
Twenty years later, G-d instructs Jacob to return to Cana’an, once again promising to protect him. Genesis 31:3-13
As he traveled home, Jacob sent messengers to his brother Esau with the message, “your servant, Jacob,” has returned. Jacob instructs his messengers to bring gifts, impress upon Esau that none of their father’s blessings came true, and express Jacob’s desire for Esau’s love. Genesis 32:4-7 (See also Rashi)
The messengers return with news that Esau is coming with 400 men. It appears Esau wants to destroy Jacob and his family.
Jacob prays to G-d for salvation, reminding G-d of His promises, even though “I’ve been diminished by your kindnesses.”
The commentaries agree the wording, “diminished”, reflects a shortcoming in Jacob. What shortcoming? During twenty years of servitude to Lavan, surrounded by base people, Jacob maintained his spiritual stature and secured G-d’s guarantee a second time. What happened in the short time after he left Haran?
Rashi suggests Jacob feared he may have sinned but doesn’t explain what the sin was.
The Kli Yakar asks: Jacob’s feelings are bordering on religious neurosis. If G-d promised Jacob twenty years ago protection and Jacob received confirmation of that promise just days ago, what sin would Jacob be worried about?
The Kli Yakar explains that Jacob’s “sin” can be found within the text itself; Jacob instructed his messengers to introduce him to Esau as “your servant, Jacob.”
In the Talmud (Sotah 41a), Rebbe Eliezer says, “all who appease their counterparts will eventually fall into their hands.”
According to the Kli Yakar, Jacob feared his appeasement of Esau was a sin of such severity that it had the power to render him undeserving of G-d’s protection.
History has taught us that appeasement is failed policy. Jacob teaches us that appeasement is a sin. When right faces evil we must never fall prey to “the sin of appeasement.”

Shabbat Shalom