At the climactic moment of the deception of Isaac, the elderly patriarch proclaims, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." This verse has been interpreted to mean that when Jacob has lifted his voice in study, that the hands of Esau cannot harm him. Throughout the centuries, it was this hope that Jacob's voice would not be silenced. The voice of Jacob would allow the Jewish people to survive the violence of the hands of Esau.

In the midrash, Esau became identified with the imperial might of Rome, then with the imposing will of medieval Christendom. No matter what the tactics of Esau might be, the voice of Jacob would permit our people to survive. The horror of the Crusades, the nightmare of the Inquisition, and the tragedy of the mob attacks upon the ghettoes were portrayed as the hands of Esau engaged in their violence against the Jew, choking the Jew trying to silence his or her voice. However, the only recourse of Jacob was the power of his voice, which he would not keep silent.

The insights of our sages still inspire us today. Jacob has survived, not because of his violent hands, but because of his gentle, yet strong voice. The inner strength of the Jew has been his or her commitment to the words of our sacred texts. Whether through prayer or through study, the voice of Jacob gave our people hope and determination.

It is imperative for us to cultivate the voice of Jacob. We need to hear the voice of Jacob in prayer, for genuine prayer transforms us into the people we seek to be. If we truly listen to the words we pray, they will shape our character and our actions. Our tefillot speak of the search for wisdom, peace, and compassion. Our prayers speak of the importance of community and cooperation. If we listen to these words, they will give us a vision to live by.

The voice of Jacob was understood to be the voice engaged in study. Jewish lore claimed that Jacob studied in the Academy of Shem and Ever. Jacob was conceived as a scholar who sat within his tent interacting with the sacred text. This study gave Jacob the power to withstand the assault of the violence of Esau. Jewish study has always been seen as transforming the ethical character of the individual. Jacob was to become a person of principle.

We live in a time when the hands of Esau seem to be ascendant. The level of violence in society seems to be unprecedented. Terrorism, sadly, has become an accepted practice many Islamist groups - especially if it is directed against the citizens of Israel. Yet, the only response to this violence must be the voice of Jacob, steady and calm, engaged in thoughtful prayer, study and commitment. The way of violence has never been the Jewish way.

We believe that what shall ultimately survive, is the voice of Jacob. No matter how ominous and powerful the hands of Esau, the voice of Jacob shall triumph