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3/7/12

From Yaakov to Mordechai


From the Masters of Kabbalah , Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (the "Chida")

When Yaakov saw that Esav was coming he went ahead of [his family] and bowed down seven times until he reached his brother. (Bereishis 33:3)
It says in Sefer Hakinuyim that Mordechai was the reincarnation of Yaakov and Haman the reincarnation of Esav. Since Yaakov did wrong by bowing before Esav seven times, Mordechai came and repaired Yaakov's failing by refusing to bow down to Haman.
The question is, how could Yaakov, the most perfect of the patriarchs, bow down to the wicked Esav? He surely knew that it is forbidden to greet an evildoer. 
The answer is: Yaakov did not do anything wrong. When he prostrated himself he was bowing down to the Shechinah that was coming to meet him.  
Then why is it counted as a failing that needs rectification? Yaakov was guilty of giving a false impression to his wives and his children, causing them to think that he was bowing down toEsav. 
Mordechai repaired this misstep by refusing to bow down to Haman.
PURIM SAMEACH!

From KABBALAH: Selections from Classic Kabbalistic Works from Raziel HaMalach to the Present Day (Targum Press).

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