It's not too late to sign up for my Engaging Israel Seminar, which begins this Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. For further information and registration please click here.
__________________________________________________
Dear Friends:
In the early years of his life the patriarch, Jacob,
 | | Jacob and Esau |
was not a paragon of virtue. He came out of Rebecca's womb hanging on to the heel of his older twin, Esau. He tried, in vain, to keep Esau from becoming the first born. A few years later, when his famished brother returned from the field after a hard day at the hunt, Jacob insisted that Esau sell him his birthright for the price of a bowl of lentils. Finally, masquerading as Esau, Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him his older brother's blessing, thereby creating an almost irreparable rift in the family.
In his youth, Jacob was definitely not a mensch. His deceitful inclinations are even reflected in his name. The name Ya'akov is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "crooked" or "tricky." As Esau said,"Was he, then, named Jacob that he might trick me these two times? First he took away my birthright and now he has taken away my blessing." (Gen. 27:36)
 | |
Rachel
and Leah
|
Fearing Esau's wrath, Jacob flees to his ancestral city of Haran. In Haran he marries Rachel and Leah, cohabits with Bilhah and Zilpah, and fathers a family. He matures, goes to work for his father-in-law, and begins to live up to the promise which God had already vested in him.
Despite his fear of Esau, he eventually decides to return to Canaan. After sending messengers to his brother, he pauses to rest and gather his wits before they meet. After sending his wives, children, and entourage over the Jabok river, Jacob is left alone on its bank. Suddenly, the Torah records, "a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn." (Gen. 32:25)
Jacob and the "man" struggled all night long, neither claiming victory. During the struggle, his opponent succeeded in wrenching Jacob's hip at the socket, but does not defeat him.
Finally, as the dawn approaches, Jacob's opponent demands that Jacob let him go. Jacob responds: "I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Gen. 32:27)
The man said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human and have prevailed." (Gen. 32:29)
 | |
Jacob's struggle
|
Throughout the ages there have been many commentaries and interpretations about Jacob's encounter and its significance. Was it real or a dream? Was Jacob's opponent human or divine? And what exactly is the meaning of the blessing bestowed upon him?
One of my favorite explanations of Jacob's encounter is that it is a physical manifestation of the internal struggle that still raged inside him. Jacob had spent the last several years maturing and learning to accept responsibility, yet the old "tricky" Jacob still rested uncomfortably inside of him. His yetzer rah (evil inclination) was still trying to eclipse his yetzer tov (good inclination).
After a great deal of anguish and turmoil, Jacob succeeds in vanquishing his yetzer rah. Jacob turns from his self-centered schemes and affirms that his life will be one of goodness, kindness, and selflessness. He is finally ready to accept the legacy of Abraham and Isaac, and become the recipient and transmitter of the brit (covenant) that God concluded with them. Now he, too, is ready to become the leader and progenitor of the Jewish people.
Jacob's new name reflects his conviction. He no longer is Jacob the trickster. He is now Israel, one who is ready and able to argue with humans and God in order to protect and preserve his family and nation.
 | |
Yetzer Tov v'Rah
|
Jacob's inner struggle of selfishness versus service was not unique to him alone. Our tradition teaches that human beings are born morally neutral, but with the natural proclivity to do either right or wrong. As we journey through life, from infancy, to childhood, to adulthood, to old age, we find ourselves in situations and face challenges which challenge our human and moral integrity.
Most of the time we identify with the mature and well-tested Israel, accepting God's plan for us and knowing that good and love must always prevail over evil and hatred. But there are also times when we feel like the young and impetuous Jacob, believing that God and the world have done us wrong, and that all means are justified in order for us to claim what should be rightfully ours.
As we journey through life we find ourselves in many different situations in which our yetzer tov, our desire to do good, battles with our yetzer rah, our desire to do not so good. This is something that all human beings deal with.
During those times when our yetzer rah seems to be winning the battle, we would do well to remember Jacob's struggle and ultimate triumph. He overcame selfishness and deceit to embrace love and generosity. He grew to greatness. He is one of our people's greatest heroes.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
Tifereth Israel Synagogue
|
|
