In Parasha Vayishlakh Jacob wrestles with "a man", often identified as the guardian angel of his brother, Esau. Earlier in the story, when Jacob is told that his brother Esav is approaching "with four hundred men" Jacob is described as fearful and anxious. Here, however, Jacob does not appear to be afraid. Rather, he marshals all of his strength and wrestles with this angel "until the break of dawn". Despite being wounded by the angel, "the socket of his hip was strained", Jacob refuses to give up. "The angel said to him, 'Let me go, for dawn is breaking." It is the angel who begs to be released! The angel, a divine being, is unable to defeat Jacob, a mere mortal. Jacob's courage, his stubbornness and his perseverance ultimately win the day. As the rays of dawn drive out the darkness of the night, Jacob wrests a blessing from the angel.
The story can perhaps teach us something about the Jewish concept of "redemption" -- ge-ulah -- in Hebrew -- the times in our history when pain, sadness and oppression are transformed into healing, happiness and freedom. The Jerusalem Talmud relates the story of Rabbi Chiyya Raba and Rabbi Shimon ben Halafta who were walking in the Valley of Arbel when the first rays of light appeared over the mountains. Rabbi Chiyya said to Rabbi ben Halafta, “My friend, such will be the redemption of Israel. In the beginning it will be little by little, and as it proceeds it will become greater and greater."
May the courage, stubbornness, and perseverance of the Israeli Defense Forces bring an end to the evil that controls Gaza today. May Israel once again drive out the darkness and may we see soon see the light that will grow brighter and brighter. May the words of the Psalmist be fulfilled speedily in our day: "You turned my mourning into dancing, You removed my sackcloth and clothed me in joy".
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