Last Saturday, in synagogues around the world, a beautiful story of reconciliation was read and celebrated. Earlier in this beloved biblical tale, Jacob and Esau had been estranged for twenty years, after Jacob stole his brother's birthright and then fled to escape his brother's murderous rage. But finally, it was time for Jacob to stop running, to come home and seek healing with his brother. Jacob, afraid and suspicious, sent gifts to buy Esau's favor and divided his camp in order to protect against Esau's possible hostility. On the eve of the reunion, Jacob had a dream, in which he struggled with a creature (an angel, or a mysterious attacker, or a dark side of his own psyche). Jacob emerged victorious, with a new name. He would no longer be called Jacob/Ya'akov ("Trickster") but Israel/Yisra'el ("Wrestler with God"). He had been wounded in the struggle, so he limped as he approached his brother.

Against all odds, Esau greeted Jacob with graciousness, even love. Jacob, overwhelmed, declared, "Seeing you is like seeing the face of God." (Genesis 33:10)

One can but imagine how the brothers had thought of one another in the intervening years. Esau must have thought of his brother as perpetrator, trickster, manipulator. And Jacob must have thought of his brother as enemy, wild and rageful, and unworthy.

But in this evocative scene of reconciliation, the old stories of perpetrator and victim, images of "the other" as hostile and hateful, seem to dissolve. Perhaps Esau had grown out of his youthful impulsiveness. Or perhaps years of resentment melted into an open heart when Esau saw his brother limping, wounded by the years and by his struggle, deeply human like himself. While still wary, Jacob was deeply moved by Esau's willingness to receive him as a brother, after all that had transpired between them. Finally, Jacob could begin to see the divinity – and the humanity – of his brother, linked by a bond of deep connection.

The truth is, the image of the divine, the core of our humanity, can be seen in the face of every human being, even those long estranged, even those we see as enemy. Would that we could begin to see clearly, so that we, too, could sense our connection with all people, and reunite the troubled family of humankind.