The Israel-Edom Seesaw

A Torah Thought for Parashat Devarim 

By Moshe Feiglin

In this week’s Torah portion, Devarim, Moses relates how G-d directed him not to have the Nation of Israel pass through the land of Edom, the descendants of Esau. G-d promised the land of Edom to Esau, and Israel was directed not to initiate any hostilities with his descendants. Even today, we cannot think of warring with America, Russia or Europe, all of whom are Esau’s descendants.

Our Sages teach that Jerusalem and Rome, which represents Edom’s capital, have a symbiotically inverse relationship: When one ascends, the other descends.

It will be reality, a.k.a. G-d, Who will avenge the rivers of Jewish blood spilled by Edom. It is mind-boggling to witness the crumbling of the 2,000 year old civilization that emerged from Rome. Those who want their children to be able to manage in America or Europe one generation from now, had best teach them Arabic or Spanish.

Rome is descending. Jerusalem is on its way up.

Shabbat Shalom.