Agrippa I, appointed by the Roman Emperor to rule over Judea, was pious and kind to his subjects. During his reign, the Jews began to prosper and live comfortably. The Sages of the time accorded him great respect.
Agrippa I started construction to repair, broaden and heighten the walls around Jerusalem. The Romans, wary of the Jews' rising prosperity, placed many obstacles in his way. Nonetheless, the wall was completed, though the finished product was not as magnificent as originally planned.
The 16th of Adar, the day when the construction commenced, was instituted to be a joyous day.
Esau said, “I have a lot.”
Jacob said, “I have all.” As in “all I need.”
Esau had a family of six. They were called “six souls.” Plural.
Jacob had a family of seventy. They were called “seventy soul.” Singular.
Esau lived in a granular, tossed-together, fragmented world in which he collected a lot of things and many people. A noisy world.
Jacob lived in a universe, a singular whole, in which all he encountered was only another manifestation of an essential oneness. Wherever he was, he had everything.
And you? Do you have many things? Or do you have much light?