Kan Tzipor and Yaakov's Deception of Esav

Kan Tzipor and Yaakov's Deception of Esav, by Rabbi David Fohrman

This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion.

Can the Torah create an immersive, three-dimensional experience? We argue that yes, it does and look at  certain methodology of doing so.  We will see how one verse can serve as a lens and a larger text will be the screen. The "lens" in this shiur is the mitzva about the mother bird and her nest. We will then view the story of Yaakov and Esav's meeting in Parashat VaYishlach through the lens of that verse about the mother bird. Why did Yaakov send messengers to Esav, when he had no evidence that Esav's anger had abated? Who is the "mother bird" in this story? Who "sends the mother bird away?" What role do Rivka's instructions to Yaakov play here?