What does the Torah mean when it writes that Yaakov arrived "Shalem" in the town of Shechem?
Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: Intact in all regards - complete in body (since he was cured of his limp), 1 complete financially (his animals reproduced to compensate what he gave to Esav), and complete in his Torah (which he did not forget during his stay with Lavan).' 2
Ramban #1: As long as Yaakov was in Sukos (on the east bank of the River Yarden), he was in the vicinity of Esav, of whom he was frightened. 3 And it was only when he arrived in Shechem that he felt safe, since now he was in Eretz Yisrael, close to his father, where, he knew, Esav would not touch him.
Ramban #2 (citing the Ibn Ezra): He arrived in peace in the town of Shechem - a prelude to the episode concerning Dinah, which follows immediately. 4
Rashbam, Hadar Zekenim: 'Shalem' is the name of a town, and the Pasuk is informing us that Yaakov arrived in Shalem, the city of Shechem, who was its prince.
Seforno: "Shalem" means 'in peace, and what the Torah is telling us here is that the moment he arrived in peace in Shechem, the first town in Eretz Kena'an, before even arriving at his father's house, he already set about fulfilling the Neder that he had made on his way to Charan, 5 and built a Mizbe'ach. 6
Malbim: This teaches why he was punished, via the episode with Dinah, for delaying his vow. Hashem guarded him as he stipulated - Yaakov was intact in body, financially and in his Torah (which he did not forget during his stay with Lavan). 7
Meshech Chochmah: Before he was blemished due to his limp, so he could not offer even on a Bamah. Now that he was Shalem, he immediately offered Korbanos.
The Rashbam and Hadar Zekenim reject this explanation however, for verses do not speak like this. In support of Rashi's explanation however, the commentaries point out that 'Shalem' is the acronym of 'Sheled (body), Limud, Mamon.'
Indeed, say Chazal, throughout the period that he spent in Sukos, he honored his brother with the same gift that he sent him initially, month by month or once a year, due to the fear that he bore him (Ramban).
The calm before the storm.
See Bereishis 28:21, and refer to 35:1:1:1**.
Despite the fact that he only promised to do so after he returned in peace to his father's house. Refer to 35:1:1:1.
Learning Torah depends on toil, but remembering it is a gift from Hashem (Megilah 6b).
Why the lengthy expression, "Ir Shechem, Asher b'Eretz Kena'an, b'Vo'o mi'Padan Aram"?
Oznayim la'Torah: Yaakov was following in the footsteps of his grandfather Avraham, whose first stop when he arrived from Aram Naharayim was Shechem, which is where Ha'Kadosh-Baruch-Hu promised him, "l'Zar'acha Eten Es ha'Aretz ha'Zos." That is why Yaakov, too, stopped in Shechem and staked his claim in the land by buying a piece of land there. 1
Ohr ha'Chayim: "Mi'Padan Aram" teaches that he had the same number of animals as when he left Lavan (his flock increased to replace the gift to Esav).
Ha'amek Davar: This was the first place proper to come to in Eretz Yisrael from Padan Aram. Before, he was in Har ha'Gilad, Machanayim and Sukos only for the sake of the flocks; Ever ha'Yarden is good pasture.
What is the significance of the fact that Yaakov encamped in front of the town?
Hadar Zekenim, Radak and Ramban, from Bereishis Rabah (79:6): It was Erev Shabbos, and he marked the Techum. 1
Ramban: He did not want to be a guest in the first town that he arrived at in Eretz Yisrael, so he encamped in the field and acquired it 2 (as the next Pasuk teaches us), in order to establish himself in the land. 3
Ramban (citing the Ibn Ezra): The Torah writes this to teach us the greatness of Eretz Yisrael, for whoever owns a portion in it, it is as if he owned a portion in Olam ha'Ba.
Oznayim la'Torah (citing Bereishis Rabah 79:6): He arrived on Erev Shabbos as the sun was beginning to set, and encamped outside the town - because he kept [even Tosefes] Shabbos. 4
Malbim: This is unlike Sukos, where he was Shochen (dwelled alone). Here, he fixed his residence there and mixed with the residents.
Ha'amek Davar: He did not enter the city. This is like his Midah to dwell alone, not mixed with Nochrim.
Hadar Zekenim: Because the Torah hints that he observed Shabbos, we say (in the Amidah of Shabbos Minchah) 'Yaakov u'Vanav Yanuchu Vo.'
Oznayim la'Torah: As a matter of fact, this was one of three locations which the Avos acquired with a full Kinyan and to which the Nochrim can have no valid claim - (1) Me'aras ha'Machpelah, which Avraham acquired from the Bnei Ches; (2) Mekom ha'Mikdash, which David acquired from Aravnah ha'Yevusi; (3) Kever Yosef (Shechem), which Yaakov acquired from Shechem and Chamor - See Oznayim la'Torah to 33:19.
This hinted that Shechem would be the first place that Yaakov would conquer upon entering Eretz Yisrael (when his sons killed the residents). Refer to 12:6:3:2.
Oznayim la'Torah (from Pesikta Rabasi 23): And as a reward for keeping Shabbos beyond its borders (in time), he inherited the land without borders, as the Torah writes, "u'Faratzta Yamah va'Kedmah, v'Tzafonah va'Negbah" (28:14). See Shabbos 118b. (That Pasuk was before this; he already kept Tosefes Shabbos, just the Torah hints to it here. Or, Hashem promised him due to what He knew that Yaakov will do later - PF).
"Va'Yichan" also has connotations of 'gracing.' In what way did Yaakov grace the city of Shechem?
Shabbos 33a: Some say that he introduced a new coin, others that he introduced the concept of markets, 1 and others, that he initiated bathhouses.
Bereishis Rabah (79:6): He sent to them gifts. Ha'amek Davar - this teaches us how to behave when traveling!
Yerushalmi Shevi'is 9:1: Where everything was sold in one central location at a cheaper price. See Oznayim la'Torah.
The Gemara (Shabbos 33b) teaches that Yaakov benefited the inhabitants of Shechem upon his arrival; according to various opinions he instituted coinage, marketplaces, or bathhouses. What is the significance of these items?
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 1, p. 28, to Shabbos 33b): a) Coinage has no intrinsic natural value, it is a social convention of a locality (by common agreement, that a certain minted image will represent legal tender). Yaakov instituted positive social norms for Shechem (not limited to coinage per se). b) Markets are the natural outgrowth of the need to earn a living through trade; but the institution of a set market day, and the laws and conduct of trade, are by common agreement. Yaakov brought them such matters as well. c) Bathhouses fill an entirely natural need; Yaakov taught them these as well.
Why does it say "Ir Shechem"?
Ha'amek Davar #1: The Parshah discusses a man Shechem, so it must distinguish them.
Ha'amek Davar #2: Avraham came "Ad Mekom Shechem" (12:6). Then, it was not a city. Now, it was a city.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'[Yaakov arrived] whole' - Whole in his body... wealth... and Torah." Why does Rashi give these three examples?
Maharal (Chidushei Agados Vol. 1, p. 28, to Shabbos 33b): These three spheres encompass what belongs to a person - one's body, one's monetary assets, and one's intellect. Correspondingly, we are commanded to love Hashem "with all of your heart, with your whole life, and all of your resources" (Devarim 6:5). 1
Maharal writes on this matter at length (e.g. see Nesivos Olam, Nesiv ha'Avodah beg. Ch. 3).
