Jacob is getting ready to confront his older and stronger brother, Esau, who had previously threatened to kill Jacob the next time they saw each other. Fearful of what might happen at this meeting, Jacob takes precautions by splitting his camp in two. He also sent gifts in Esau's direction, and to pronounced his (Jacob's) subservience, in an attempt to quell his brother's anger.

 

 It is after Jacob has made these arrangements, that he finds himself alone at night and is approached by an angel with whom he wrestles through the night. As a new day was dawning, the angel realized that he could not beat Jacob and asks Jacob to let him go. Jacob, true to his nature to never allow an opportunity to obtain a blessing pass him by, says: "I will not let you go unless you bless me." It is at this point that the angel tells Jacob that his name "shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human and have prevailed."

On its face the importance of the outcome of the wrestling match is the change of Jacob's name which will ultimately lead to the name of his descendants. This is why we are called "The Children of Israel".

 

 But there is another lesson to be learned from this piece of Text. Jacob did not have to wrestle the angel. He could have run away; he could have refused to engage. However, he made the choice to confront his adversary. He did not, outright, win the battle, but he secured a new, and holier, name and posterity to go with it. We learn from this that it is important for us to confront our fears and to contest our adversaries.

 

 We have witnessed yet another anti-Semitic shooting yesterday in Jersey City. This is in addition to a daily barrage of anti-Semitic acts and rhetoric being hurled at us here and around the world. Indeed, these occurrences have become so frequent, that we might tend to become desensitized to them. Please do not become numb.

 

My message is simple. Like Jacob, we cannot ignore the very serious issues that exist in our world. It is up to each of us, as the Children of Israel, to emulate our forefather and confront those seeking to do us harm.

 

We, who so often fight for the rights of others (and rightfully so), need to be vigilant on behalf ourselves as well. If history has taught us anything, it is that we cannot rely on others to protect us or to fight our battles. We must each become active in a group, or groups, that fight against anti-Semitism in all of its forms.

 

There are many organizations whose goal is the protection of Jews and the Jewish people. If you would like suggestions of worthy organizations, please feel free to call or email me.

 

This Shabbat we will remember those killed in this last heinous act of violence. If you cannot make it to Friday or Saturday services, one thing I will be doing is reciting the prayer below which was written by Rabbi Kaya Stern-Kaufman:

 

El Malei Rachamim, G-d filled with Compassion, if only Your shelter could protect us from the hatred and violence that has risen against us once again. As we pray for peace and protection, we cannot sit idly, waiting for Your Grace to shield us from bullets, hatred and lies. We have inherited a world of anger  but also a world of beauty. Help us to find ways to strengthen kindness and compassion within our communities. Guide us with solutions grounded in Your goodness and wisdom. Remove from our hearts the paralysis of despair. Help us to know your Presence, your love, your Oneness in this time of fear and grief. Be with us. Spread over us and within us, a shelter of Peace.

 

Am Yisrael Chai - The People of Israel Live.

              

Shabbat Shalom - Rabbi Michael S. Jay