Parashat Vayeishev 5768

In last week's Torah portion, we learned that Jacob, on the eve of encountering his estranged brother Esau, wrestled with an ish, literally translated as a "man." Our tradition explains that this ish was not a mere man, but rather an angel of God, a spirit of Jacob's brother Esau, or Jacob's own conscience. At the end of this wrestling, the ish wrenches Jacob's hip and blesses him with a new name, Israel.

But, in this week's Torah portion, surprisingly, Jacob is NOT referred to by his new name, Israel. Instead, the Torah continues to refer to our troubled patriarch as Jacob. If Jacob's name change to Israel was supposed to indicate a change in character, why didn't it stick? The answer, I believe, lies in Jacob's journey.

In this week's Torah portion, Jacob follows up his wrestling match and reunion by returning home to his father's land. While the word "home" literally refers to a physical space, I believe the word "home" also speaks of an emotional/spiritual place as well. "Home" is the place of easy actions, old habits, and safe places. When we return "home," we return to old patterns.

You see, our Torah is painting us a very real picture here. Jacob's spiritual wrestling is NOT followed by radical transformation ("poof, you're Israel and you are now perfect"), but by regression and resistance to change ("poof, you may be called Israel, but your 'home' is still Jacob"). Israel followed up his dramatic performance by returning "home" to the Jacob he had always been, leaving him with the full potential to return to "Israel" once again.

I take comfort in knowing that Torah does not expect radical transformation or quick dramatic change. Torah is a caring counselor, recognizing our human tendencies, and a loving parent, ever-embracing our potential to leave "home" and find our "promised land."

May your Shabbat be filled with reflection and compassion.