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| R' Ahron Solveichik - circa early1970s |
Some are in the guise of overt antisemites that want to annihilate us. Some are in the guise of men of great wisdom in matters of science or philosophy whose conclusions challenge our beliefs, and still others are in the guise of theologians that try to convince us that their religious views represent the truth and that ours are false. It is important for us to recognize that. Even (and perhaps especially) as we continue to realize the blessings of freedom this great country bestows upon us - allowing us to participate fully in society.
This week’s Parsha of VaYishlach demonstrates that quite succinctly. It opens with the famous story of Ya’akov fighting with an angel. The Sages tell us that this angel was the angel of Esav and record various interpretations of what that angel represented. Among them are variations of the types of things we encountered in much of Jewish history and even in our own day. Whether it was the desire to annihilate us in the Holocaust; or to convert us during the inquisition in Spain; or the modern day skeptic who tries to plant seeds of doubt about our core religious beliefs and even the existence of God!
Ya’akov succeeded in fighting off all of those influences and was actually crippled in the process. In winning the battle Ya’akov prevailed on this angel to give him a blessing. It was given via a name change that indicated that event: Yisroel, which means fighting with God (represented by God’s angel). A battle Ya’akov won.
The sages also tell us the following: Maasei Avos Siman L’Bonim - the deeds of our forefathers are predictive of events that will befall their descendants. Indeed it has and still does.
The fact is that of our 3 forefathers, it was Ya’akov where this is the most relevant for us. Ya’akov was the only forefather who was the ancestor of the Jewish people exclusively.
There are also other distinctions that Ya’akov had which were exclusive to him. He was the only patriarch that retained both names, the new one, Yisroel - and the old one, Ya’akov. Avraham was never to be referred to as Avram again.
There is a lesson in that. Yisroel recognizes that the struggle against Esav should only take place before God. Meaning that when it comes to matters of theology and spirituality we must fight for our beliefs. Jews cannot adapt to the prevailing environment if it contradicts that.
But in secular matters that are not directly related to religion, a Jew must take a different approach. We must adapt to the environment and pursue a policy of peace and harmony. In all matters - whether they are civic, scientific, or economic. A Jew should integrate into the existing society.
That was the purpose of Ya’akov retaining his original name in addition to his new one. That name was given to him because he was holding on to Esav’s foot at birth (Bereishis 25:26). That indicates Jewish pursuit of secular matters in the society in which we live.
It must be emphasized that the mandate of separation inherent in the name Yisroel means not only - NOT participating in theological or spiritual associations with non Jews. It includes non Orthodox Jewish groups as well. The Gemarah (Kiddushin - 18a) considers Esav himself a Yisroel Mumar – a sinning Jew.
That said, we must at the same time show love and friendship to all human beings – created in the image of God. Jew and gentile alike. Religious or not. We should even go further and lead by example – attempting to arouse the latent good and noble qualities in all people.
Yaakov fought Esav – NOT with brute force and bans… NOT with proscription and interdiction… and certainly NOT with destructive criticism and defamatory statements against the non Jewish or non religious world. Rather he struggled against Esav with courage and sincerity, with dignity and firmness, with dedication and piety… with a love for all people and a burning desire to sanctify the name of God (Kiddush HaShem).
This is the legacy of Ya’akov. We his descendants - the Jewish people - must emulate him. We must know not only when to fight but how to fight. We must know when to make peace and pursue it. And we must lead by example making a Kiddush HaShem along the way.
(Based on the chapter on VaYishlach in The Warmth and the Light by Rav Ahron Soloveichick)