blogs/rabbi-huberman

What the Word “Israel” Means

If you are looking for easy answers about life, then you've come to the wrong religion.

Where was God during the Holocaust? Could God have prevented 9/11? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do so many evil individuals seem to prosper?

Each of us asks many unanswerable questions every day—leading some to abandon religion altogether. But Judaism stresses above all, the importance of the journey.

There is a story told in the Chasidic tradition of a young man who roamed Europe, from town to town, from rabbi to rabbi asking a question that obsessed him.

“Why was I born? Why am I here? I see so much pain and suffering. What is the meaning of life?”

He finally gained an audience with one of Europe's greatest rabbis to whom he posed his question.

And without missing a beat, the elderly rabbi, who stood all of five feet three inches, rose from his chair, and, tightly squeezing the young man's hand, replied.

“Why would you want to ruin such a perfect question with an imperfect answer?

“Don't you understand,” he said. “It's the questions that unite us. The answers divide us.”

If you have asked any “unanswerable questions” in your lifetime, then you've actually come to the right religion. For this week, one of Judaism's patriarchs receives a new name—a name you have inherited.

In this week's Torah portion, Vayishlach, (and Jacob sent messengers) Jacob wrestles with a mysterious force—who, after a night of struggle, renames him Israel (Yisrael).

Meaning? Wrestler or struggler with God.

At the start of this week's Parashah, Jacob prepares to return to the land he fled 20 years earlier, after he stole the family birthright from his older brother, Esau.

The two are on a collision course. How will Esau, who then vowed to kill Jacob, react? Will Esau carry through with his threat or forgive his long lost brother?

Jacob is not sure. In advance, Jacob divides his camp into two. Should Esau and his 400 followers kill Jacob and his entourage, the remainder of his family will survive.

That evening, Jacob crosses a stream, leaving his immediate family on the other side. There, he engages with what the Torah terms an ish—a man, in what the Torah refers to as a “dusty” battle.

I recall from my very brief high school wrestling career that it is difficult to physically tangle with an opponent for more than two or three minutes at a time. This bout lasts all night.

As the dawn breaks, Jacob asks the entity for a blessing. In response, the man asks Jacob what his name is. “Jacob,” says he.

The ish then performs an act that dramatically changes Jewish history: He renames Jacob.

“Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel,” he says. “For you have striven with beings beyond, and human, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:29)

So, what do you think? Was this a man? Was it a spirit? Was it Esau or an angel? Or was it something else?

I believe that this is where the Torah again connects with each of us. Was there a time in your life when you realized that it was time to grow up?

Like Jacob in his youth, have you ever been arrogant? Have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else? Have you ever run from your problems? Have you ever played “let's make a deal” with God? To this point, this has been Jacob's story.

But on that night, thousands of years ago, Jacob greets the dawn as a new person.

He has confronted the wrong he has caused others—and now prepares to take his place as the father of B'nei Yisrael—the descendants of Israel.

There is one more thing. That night, during the bout, Jacob suffers an injury. His hip is pulled from its socket, and he will walk for the rest of his life with a limp.

Isn't that so with mistakes so many of us have made?

Indeed, life is not easy. Sometimes mistakes are made. Sometimes we don't see God's plan until many years later.

Our great sage, Maimonides, noted that we should never be broken by bad news because we never know how the story will end. He observed that many of today's seemingly unanswerable questions may be resolved in the future. The answers are never easy. Meaning and understanding are rarely immediate.

It is why were are known as Yisrael. We argue, struggle and wrestle every day, with faith that there is a purpose to our life's journey.

Should the answers be easy? Should life be a paradise? Judaism rejects that.

But each day, through life experience, through the evolution of our kindness and compassion, we improve. As we mature, we break the shackles of egotism, self-centeredness and “me'ism,” and focus unselfishly toward family and Tikun Olam—turning this imperfect world into a better place.

Jacob finds that. He and Esau reconcile.

As Jacob greets Esau after two decades, he utters these precious words: “Seeing your face is like seeing the face of God.”

The two cry in each other's arms. Jacob offers amends. Esau forgives. The deep bond of family and the blessing of forgiveness prevail.

As we search for pleasure and physical satisfaction, we leave so much love behind.

In this week's Torah portion, Jacob struggles with himself and emerges a new person. For he has learned a lesson, which has followed the Jewish people for thousands of years.

There are no easy answers. But over time, we can grow in spirit, empathy and understanding.

That is the wrestle of our lives. That is how we grow. That is what makes us Yisrael.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman