parsha bit: Vayishlach

[cellio]

In this week's portion Yaakov, returning home, wrestles with an angel and then reunites with his brother the next day. Rashbam (Rabbi Samuel ben Meir, 12th century) connects these two events. He teaches that Yaakov was frightened, afraid of what his brother would do to him and his family when they met, so he planned to flee. God sent the angel to wrestle with him and injure him so that he couldn't run away. Had Yaakov had more faith in God to protect him, Rashbam says, this injury would not have been necessary.

One of the regular minyanaires pointed out something to me later. There is a lot of commentary on who the nocturnal visitor really was -- an angel, Esav's guardian angel, just a man, others. Joe mentioned Esav's angel; he then pointed out that Yaakov and Esav were twins, so in a way Yaakov was wrestling with himself. (Granted, this might work better if they were identical, not fraternal, twins.) I've previously heard the idea that Yaakov was wrestling with some aspect of himself (it was an inner struggle, in other words), but hadn't previously heard it connected to the twins relationship.

Comments

The Jihad Against Oneself!

[(Anonymous)]

I've previously heard the idea that Yaakov was wrestling with some aspect of himself (it was an inner struggle, in other words)

There is one explanation which I have heard that takes this direction. It states that the angel was in fact Yaakov's יצר הרע, or Evil Inclination, which he battled in a dream along his worry filled journey.

Here is a similar perspective that i found on Shema Yisroel (http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/parsha/leff/):

While at the beginning of the night Yaakov sought to avoid the confrontation, by night's end he realized that the struggle was essential to his very existence.

And why did the angel want to go? He wanted to sing to Hashem. His time to sing only came in the morning. Rabbi Dessler explains that when an angel fulfills its purpose, that is the song it sings. The angel, whether it be Satan or Michael, exists to give us the chance to fight and be successful, and when we are successful then the angel, too, has fulfilled its mission.

In this light we can understand why the angel did not tell Yaakov his name. Angels' names change with their function. Yaakov's struggle represents all struggles Jews have faced and will face throughout history. Each man's struggles in life are different, depending on his unique nature. What is easy for one person is difficult for another. Thus, every person has a slightly different Satan and Michael to fight with. Consequently, the angel could not give a single name.

I like this line of thinking because, for me, it represents a juncture at which psycho-spiritual change is required of someone. A tipping point at which you have to do your best lest you fall off the cliff of life!

Hope you enjoyed,

- Inkhorn

Re: The Jihad Against Oneself!

[cellio]

Thanks for this. It's an interesting perspective.