In this week's Parsha, we learn of the struggle between Yaakov and the angel. The ending of the story seems strange and clearly needs explanation. Yaakov seems to have the angel pinned to the ground and the angel is begging Yaakov to let him go back to the heavens. This is what follows: 

...ויאמר לא אשלחך כי אם ברכתני. ויאמר אליו מה שמך ויאמר יעקב. ויאמר לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כי אם ישראל כי שרית עם אלקים ועם אנשים ותוכל.(בראשית, לב, כז-כט)

...And he said, "I will not let you go unless you have blessed me". He said to him, "what is your name?", he said "Jacob". He said, "no longer will it be said that your name is Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with the Divine and with men and you have overcome" (Bereishit, 32, 27-29)

Yaakov demands a blessing from the angel and is blessed by receiving a new name, Israel. The question here seems obvious: why does Yaakov need a blessing from this angel? If indeed this is the angel of Eisav, then even more so!! Yaakov can't just let him go?! 

Another question can be asked regarding the blessing. Why is receiving this new name a blessing? The blessings that we have seen in the last few Parshiot are not similar to this "blessing" and it raises the question, why is the name Israel a blessing?

A possible answer to these questions may be found when looking at Yaakov's life. Through the stories told in previous Parshiot, Yaakov seems to weave his way through life. He is faced with many issues and is part of many controversies, yet he never seems to deal directly with any problems, but rather always finds a different way to solve them, avoiding confrontation. 

The first time that Yaakov confronts a problem and deals with it directly is his fight with the angel. He fights until the end and stands up for himself. This is a huge step in his life, for which he is granted a new name. The name Israel represents the elevated values and ethics of Israel. Yaakov was dealt problems from G-d and man, and he elevated above all of them. The angel admits to Yaakov that, after proving that he can stand up for himself when needed, his ways are on a higher level then others and he shows his respect for that.

This week we celebrated 70 years to the U.N vote in favor of the partition plan. The approval of the nations was finally given to Israel, after we waited almost 2000 years. The approval of the world is significant on a political level as well as a religious level. We, as Jews, hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to morality and ethics. The world recognized our existence and right to a home, allowing us to form such a government that will be an example for the world. 

Since the blessing of the angel, Israel has continued to struggle with G-d and man, yet we have overcome those struggles, time and time again. May we continue to be blessed through our name, Israel, and may we live up to the standard that Yaakov set before us as a challenge and a mission.

Shabbat Shalom!