Parshas Vayishlach: How to defeat the Yetzer Hara

By Rav Zev Sheff

10th & 11th grade Rebbi at Yesodei Yisrael

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When Yaakov Avinu sends the Malachim to Esav he tells them: “Ki Yifgashcha Esav Achi U’shaalcha Leimor Lemi Ata Vi’ana Telech Ulemi Eileh Lifanecha. Viamarta Liavdecha LiYaakov Mincha Hi Shlucha Laadoni LiEsav Vihinei Gam Hu Achareinu” (32:18-19)

Rav Levi Yitzchak of Bardichtev in Kedushas Levi says that these Psukim teach us everything about growing closer to Hashem. He explains, that when a person starts to get close to Hashem, the Yetzer Hara doesn’t like that and therefore tries to make him fail. So one should tell himself that the reason he is trying to get close to Hashem, is so that he can reap the benefits of this relationship in this world and not the next. That way, the Yetzer Hara will leave him alone since he is only trying to gain a reward in this world through his connection with Hashem. [After this stage, when a person is already fully connected to Hashem, then naturally he will come to serve Hashem not for reward, but instead to give Nachas to Hashem.] And that’s what the Torah is teaching us by saying “ Ki Yifgashcha Esav Achi U’shaalcha Lemi”. The Yetzer Hara [who is represented by Esav] will meet you [one of Yaakov’s Malachim – as in one who is trying to do what Yaakov Avinu taught him] and he will ask you “Vi’ana Telech” – where are you going? How can you possibly think that you can get close to Hashem? “Viamarta Liavdecha LiYaakov “ And you will tell him that you belong to the camp of Yaakov Avinu and we are trying to do the right thing here. And you will tell the Yetzer Hara: “don’t be busy with the fact that I am doing what im doing because “Mincha Hi Shlucha Laadoni LiEsav” – there’s something here for you too! I am only doing this so that I can receive the benefits of a relationship with Hashem in this world! Isn’t that what you want?” This way -says Rav Levi Yitzchak- we can get rid of the Yetzer Hara and continue working on ourselves and improving our connection to Hashem.

May we all be Zoche to develop the greatest relationship with Hashem, and never give in to the Yetzer Hara’s attempts to pull us away from Him

Rav Zev Sheff was born in Passaic, NJ, he made Aliyah in 2006, and studied at Yeshivas Bais Yisrael and Kollel Ohr Lagolah where he is completing his Semicha degree, He is heavily involved in youth education for Olim, serving as the head of staff for Bnei Hashra’ah and as an Avreich in the Hakshiva Bnei Aliyah program. He currently lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife, Temima, and their children.

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