What’s in a name?
This week’s Torah portion is rich with stories of our ancestors, their families, and their growth as a People. We learn about jealousy, hatred, companionship, revenge, and spiritual growth. We learn that even our very names can define who and what we shall become.
Jacob is alone the night before he meets his brother Esau for a reconciliation. We are told of his dream with a supernatural force. An angel appears before him. They struggle, they fight, and Jacob prevails. After this battle, his name will change from Jacob to Yisrael, which means “one who struggles with God and survives.” At this pivotal moment Jacob transforms. He is no longer the trickster, the selfish brother we’ve learned about. Now he is a person who has come face to face with the Almighty and has walked away changed; he is a new man.
“Jacob” means “heel”—stubborn, hardened, and callous. But Jacob prevails over this definition and meets his destiny. He becomes one of the shining examples of righteousness that we emulate in our tradition.
May we be blessed by the memory of our ancestors and their stories.
— Cantor Nathan Lam