Two Camps: The Inspiring Legacy of Jacob's Vision

As Jacob approached the Land of Israel and heard about Esau coming to meet him, he separated his family into two camps. At that moment, he offered heartfelt gratitude to Hashem: "I am unworthy of all the kindness and truth You have shown Your servant. With my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps."

What was it that moved Jacob so suddenly? Was it simply the technical ability to divide his family into two camps? Surely, any large family could be split, but this moment held deeper significance.

Jacob realized that this division was not merely technical. It held profound meaning for the People of Israel. He saw his sons positioning themselves: Judah, the valiant one, stood ready to protect his mother if needed; Simeon and Levi whispered strategy to confront Esau’s camp; and Joseph stretched to shield his mother Rachel. Though still youths, his sons began to form a cohesive group with distinct roles, and Jacob glimpsed the future.

Most importantly, Jacob recognized two unique strengths destined to sustain Israel through their unity: the strength of Leah's sons and that of Rachel's. Yes, their clash led to Joseph's sale, but it also brought redemption during famine. Joshua, who received the Torah from Moses and led Israel into the land, belonged to the Tribe of Ephraim. Saul, the king who prepared Israel for redemption by destroying Amalek and sacrificing for the sanctity of the land, was from Benjamin. King David, who subdued Israel's enemies, was from Judah. Through the ages, Elijah, the eternal prophet accompanying Israel, was from Ephraim’s kingdom, and Isaiah the prophet who comforts Israel, was from Judah’s. Mordechai the Jew, who saved Israel in exile, hailed from Benjamin.

The seer with foresight sees within conflict the marvelous forces at play and the peace and blessing they will eventually bring. Each of these two camps fought evil in their distinct ways. Rachel's sons clung to sanctity as their path. Joseph reached the height of honor in Egypt through his unwavering sanctity. Leah’s sons embodied strength and repentance, exemplified by Judah’s honest admission, "She is more righteous than I." If Joseph had wavered in his sanctity, he would have been lost, because his essence was in keeping sanctity. Yet, if Joseph's descendants falter, as Saul and the northern kingdom did, Judah’s descendants persist in repentance and redemption, as shown by David and Judah’s eventual return and redemption.

The kingdom of Judah’s success lay in integrating Judah and Benjamin. Leah’s and Rachel’s sons united, forming the two camps Jacob saw when the tribes were still young, achieving a common goal: sanctity and strength. Even when Judah went into exile, they returned, though still without a king from Judah, since dual roles await the two camps. Only when both achieve their roles of love and peace will they unite under the rule of Messiah, son of David.