Dora Bas Rivka Silver O'H Im Lavan Garti You may recall that
Yaakov left home because his brother Eisav was out to kill him.
Now that he was returning, Yaakov took appropriate steps to
prepare for the reunion. He turned to G-d for help, he sent
gifts in the hopes of appeasing Eisav, and he prepared for
battle. Yaakov sent messengers to Eisav with instructions to
tell them "I lived with Lavan until now and I have become very
wealthy, so I am sending word to make peace." (Rashi cites a
Midrash that the word "garti" - "I lived" - is an anagram of
Taryag - the 613 mitzvos. Yaakov was saying that even in Lavan's
house he adhered to the principles of Torah and did not copy his
father-in-law's ways.) The messengers sent back word that Eisav
was en route to meet Yaakov - with 400 of his men! Fearing the
worst, Yaakov divided his household into two separate camps so
that if Eisav would attack one, the other could flee. Finally,
Yaakov prayed to G-d. He recognized that he had not earned all
of the kindness G-d had show