Timeless Torah

In a previous essay, “Between Heaven and Earth” (from the Biblical section of Vayetze), we argued that Jacob has inherited both his grandfather and father’s qualities. True, these characteristics are distinct, even contradictory: Abraham believes that G-d allows man the power to change his destiny, while Isaac insists that man must have enough faith to passively accept what G-d has decreed. Indeed, the ladder dream of last week’s portion provides the surreal imagery of the two Patriarchs; are you a man trying to perfect this physical world or are you an angelic creature more concerned with what heavenly heights you yourself can scale? This week’s Parsha with its “wrestling match” continues the tale. Jacob is returning home. Once again, he finds himself alone, just as he did so many years ago when he first began his travels. Only this time there is no vision of G-d. Instead he comes face to face with this mysterious ,“Ish” or man who wrestles with him. The bout leaves us confused and our forefather with a limp. It also assigns Jacob a new name: Israel which means, “You have striven with the Divine and with man and you have overcome.” According to many of the commentaries, the “Ish” is none other than the guardian angel of the evil Esau. Be tolerant however, if we suggest another possibility, one that connects this event to the vision of the ladder. The Ish is Jacob, who is previously described in Genesis as “Ish tamim,” the complete man. And the struggle is internal, between the Jacob who is part Isaac and part Abraham. Each half battles for dominion and control over the future of the Jewish nation. So who wins the contest? The text is deliberately ambiguous. On one hand the Ish cannot prevail yet he dislocates the thigh, an act which symbolizes a lessening of earthly values, represented by the thigh. This then demonstrates that the heavenly force, the theology of Isaac is the apparent victor. But suddenly the Ish cries out, “Let me go,” and Jacob replies, “Not unless you bless me.” That is, not until you acknowledge that my way, the path of Abraham, is primary. Is there a clear winner, a loser? The answer is Israel: you have fought both battles, the one that challenges man and the one that confronts those who wish to dwell with the Divine, and you have conquered. Jacob, Israel and the Jewish people emerge victorious because they combine the two.
Like Isaac we have bared our necks, a thousand times, a million times. We are not overly impressed by this world. We have been silent while others jeered. For generations our parents were blind to the temptations this world offers. We have seen G-d and having seen Him, we have become a patient, long-suffering people realizing that history is measured by a Divine timepiece. But we are also Abraham; stiff-necked visionaries. We want to change the world, to teach it G-dliness, decency and compassion. We fight at the front of every cause believing we can alter the world, ridding it of immorality and injustice. Which aspect of our national psyche shall dominate? Israel is the key, assuring us that these two divergent routes are not mutually exclusive. Herein lays the true struggle of the Jew and his glory.