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 are a lot of meanings 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, Jacobs 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 for a different girl and tried to cheat him constantly for over 20 years, his wives had disputes with each other, and his sons were involved in altercations amoungst 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 G-dliest thing to do from within the security of the academy. Within the “ivory tower,” moral clarity sometimes seems obvious and simple. 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 G-d 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.  There was a massive spiritual battle going on in this event. 

It’s from this incident that Jacob gets blessed with his new name: Israel.  The name by which his descendants would call themselves by through all the generations.  A name that represents his new connection with G-d.  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 G-d, especially in the hard times, that Jacob was able to enhance that relationship. 

We all struggle with G-d 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 Jacobs spiritual DNA though.  He fought that fight in easy times and then in hard times until he earned the name Yisrael.  We too can take the challenge head on.  We can work through these conundrums and end up closer to G-d than ever before. 

No matter what the situation we face in life, G-d is right there, eagerly waiting for us to start that conversation with Him.

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi A and the JET Team