This week’s parsha recounts the grappling match that Yaakov fought with the Angel of Esav. Although the angel sought to conquer Yaakov, when Yaakov prevailed, the angel blessed Yaakov and changed his name to Yisroel.
The Torah states (Bereishit 32:25-29), “And Yaakov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn… he could not prevail against him… And he (the angel) said, “Let me go, for dawn is breaking,” but he (Yaakov) said, “I will not let you go unless you have blessed me.”So he said to him, “What is your name?” and he said, “Yaakov.” And he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Yaakov, but Yisroel, because you have commanding power with [an angel of] G-d and with men, and you have prevailed.”
Living in Jerusalem, I had the distinct opportunity to witness the strength of Yisroel in prevailing over her enemies in the attendance of the wedding of Sarah Litman to Ariel Beigel.
Sarah, who had just lost her father and brother-when despicable monsters murdered them mere days before her wedding-was devastated, but refused to remain broken. Rather than postpone the wedding, she instead invited all of the Jewish people to rejoice along with her-in defying the desire our foes.
In her wedding invitation to the nation of Israel, she employed the verse in Micha (7:8): “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, for I have fallen but I have gotten up.”
Witnessing her wedding was not only an expression of her heroic strength-to sing and dance instead of cry-but a testimony of the tenacity of the people of Israel who embody the tenacity of their forefather Israel.
It was truly an emotional and uplifting sight to observe the jubilant songs of the throngs of attendees’ trust in G-d, the strength of the Jewish people, and the affirmation that no enemy can crush us. It is this persistence of the Jewish people that is the expression of their forte at the core. In a place that could have been full of crying was instead filled with songs of rejoicement.
No matter the challenge, no matter the struggle-whether internally with our own Esav or the external enemy that wishes to destroy us-the children of Israel will always overcome, and draw from pain – strength, as expressed in the verse (Yirmiyahu 30:7), ” It is a time of distress for Yaakov, through which he shall be saved.”
May the words of the verse (Yeshayahu 25:8) “He has concealed death forever, and the Lord G-d shall wipe the tears off every face,” be truly fulfilled and may the new couple and all of Israel know only complete happiness-with the coming of Moshiach, Now!
