Among the matters recounted in this week's section called Jukat (law), is the story of when the Jewish people, after 38 years of wandering in the desert, began their approach to the Land of Canaan.
The first step was to enter the Land and then conquer it. Therefore, positioned in the south of the land, the Jewish people sent messengers to the people of Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother) to request permission to pass through their territory to more quickly enter the Promised Land. The messengers were to inform the king of Edom that they would purchase provisions for the journey from the inhabitants of the land, which would mean a significant economic gain for them, and that they would not deviate from the route indicated by the king, so as not to destroy the crops through the passage of people or the grazing of animals.
The king of Edom replied that he would not allow the Jewish people to pass through his land and, to maintain his position, marched with an entire army to his border. The Jewish people turned aside and skirted the land of Edom.
What lesson does this story hold? Perhaps this story can shed some light on the difficult reality the Jewish people face today. The truth is, I don't consider myself politically knowledgeable (nor do I aspire to be), and I'm not offering a verdict or a prescribed course of action, but simply something for reflection that the Torah presents this week. This can help us focus our efforts on strengthening the Jewish people in general, and our brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel in particular, each from their own position and according to their abilities, by increasing good deeds and the observance of Torah and mitzvot.
This episode from the Torah shows us that we cannot rely on other nations of the earth to do any kind of favor for the Jewish people. Not even when that favor will bring them some kind of benefit (economic, social, political, etc.). The people of Edom were a brother nation to the people of Israel, since Esau and Jacob were brothers! There was never any talk of war or one-sided gain, but rather of a peaceful people passing through a land and benefiting the local population.
However, the people of Edom refused. Just as other peoples of the Earth currently refuse to support the Jewish people in their sole objective of living in peace!
What did the Jews do in the time of Moses? They turned around and went around the land of Edom, entering the Land of Canaan from the other side. Perhaps this is a lesson, as our sages say, "The actions of our fathers are signs for our children," that we should stop paying so much attention to the opinions, "help," and ridiculous demands of other peoples and simply dedicate ourselves to being what we are: a "nation of Kohanim and a holy people.".