Choosing the Right Party

BH

(This week’s email is in memory of Chabad Shliach Rabbi Menachem Mendel Deren and in honor of a speedy and complete recovery to full good health of Chabad Shliach, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak ben Tzirel.)

In a week when the world watched as America flip-flopped in their political decisions, I was left thinking about the process of elections.

The midterm elections are generally thought of as a judgment on the president. Clearly, Americans were not so thrilled with the policies of Mr. Obama and his chambers of government.

The beauty of it all is that we have the opportunity, every couple of years, to make a difference and choose a different direction. Whether we voted for change or simply to tell the ‘yes we cans’ that “no you won’t” you still voted. We have that right to choose who leads us.

Of course the cliché comparison is to that of our mind and soul. Within each of us we have two parties. Both actually seem to offer well and reward. At face value, its hard to determine which party is the one for us. For some, it takes years or even decades to figure it out.

We have the same right to choose as we do in an election. And we also have that right to make a change. When we feel that the party of our evil inclination is winning, and we don’t like the changes they make, we can choose to reach across the aisle and make good.

In this week’s Parsha, Toldos, we are related the story of Jacob and Esau and the blessing they receive from their father, Isaac. Jacob, as the father of both, loved them equally. However, not realizing the evil Esau would create, he chose to bestow the more worthy blessing upon him. Rebecca, Isaac’s wife, saw that this blessing should be bestowed on the do-gooder, Jacob.

Rebecca developed a scheme to have Jacob receive that blessing. Rebecca also loved her children equally. However Rebecca determined which party would bring better results. After examining the issues, she voted for the party of Jacob.

When Esau learned that Jacob had ‘stolen’ his blessing he was furious! He begged his father to bless him as well. Esau was blessed but it was not nearly as great as the blessing Jacob received. Interesting to note: Why would Esau, an evil man with apparent disregard for others, even care about receiving this blessing? After all, wasn’t it all for the holy people, those who chose the righteous was?

It certainly wasn’t an inheritance Esau was after, because in reality, Isaac had nothing to leave behind. It is clear that the anger was over the blessing itself.

To understand this, we must realize where Esau comes from. Born and raised in the house of Abraham and Isaac, Esau was a natural to the belief in G-d and holiness. At heart, he believed it all and held it dear. He was – to use a modern day phrase – a ‘Jew at heart”. Born to a Jewish mother and possessing a Jewish soul imbued him with a strong belief in G-d and the super-natural.

While Esau did truly understand the reward of holiness and G-dliness, he chose to caucus with the other party campaigning inside his mind. The party of evil. His "Jewish heart," did not transform into a moral lifestyle. It was reserved for another time. He knew what was right, but was unwilling to make that vote as the other party lobbied hard. They won.

Jacob was a Jew not only at heart, but in practice as well. With faith alone we will never accomplish all that needs to be done. Action is of essence! That’s what we must do everyday. We must act! We must vote, not only for the party that makes us spiritual internally, but spiritual externally. While both offer good in the acceptance of G-dliness, the party of action and Mitzvot is the party that will serve you best.

Now is our chance to choose again. Let’s get out there and vote!