I had an unusual opportunity as a baal tchuva (someone who became religious later in life) that I got to pick my own Hebrew name.  I chose the name Yisrael. 

There is a lot of depth and meaning behind this name, but the verse that introduces the name for the first time is part of a fascinating story in this week’s Torah portion.

Jacob’s life was not an easy one.  The Torah tells us that he was a simple and pure boy.  The medrash adds that he spent decades studying Torah in the sanctuary of the academy.  Yet, Jacob’s conflicts outside of the academy were trying and morally difficult.  His mother advised him to take his brother’s blessing, his father-in-law switched his bride out at his wedding and tried to cheat him out of his wages, his wives had disputes with each other, and his sons were involved in altercations amongst themselves and with others that threatened the family’s safety and eventually led to their exile in Egypt.  Each of these events requires investigation to fully understand, but it’s clear that none of it could have been easy.

It’s more straightforward to determine the most Godly thing to do from within the security of the academy.  It’s much more difficult when life’s challenges show up on your doorstep and kick the door in.  We can only imagine the types of conversations Jacob had with God in his prayers throughout these events.  What is clear though, is his relationship with his Creator was not static, it evolved. 

Jacob’s struggles seem to reach a climax this week as the Torah describes him grappling with an angel.  The struggle was so intense, he is physically injured by it, limping for the rest of his life.  We can only imagine the spiritual struggle represented here.

It’s from this incident that Jacob gets blessed with his new name: Israel.  The name by which his descendants would call themselves, through all the generations.  A name that represents his new connection with God.  Better and clearer than before.  A name that he got specifically by struggling with the divine.

It wasn’t something that just came easily.  It was by thinking about and working on his relationship with God, especially in the hard times, that Jacob was able to enhance that relationship. 

We all struggle with God sometimes.  How does He fit into my life?  Why is He doing this to me right now?  What is the message He wants me to hear?

We are blessed with Jacob’s spiritual DNA though.  We too can take the challenge head on.  We can work through these conundrums and end up closer to God than ever before. 

No matter what the situation we face in life, God is right there, eagerly waiting for us to bring Him our thoughts.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi A and the JET Team