The Children of Israel. That's us, right? But who is Israel?
It dates back to the story from this week's Torah reading when Jacob wrestles with Esau's guardian angel and emerges victorious. Jacob refuses to let the angel depart until he receives a blessing. So the Angel gives him a new name, Israel, which means victory over G-d(s angel).
Looking at it from a Kabbalistic point of view, what emerge are two modes of dealing with challenge.
Jacob struggles, he has to fight his way through the battles of life, the treachery of Laban, escape his brother's murderous intentions. There is no more engaged form of combat than wrestling. It is taking the challenges of life head-on. It's the Soul grappling with the body trying to find and inspire a higher form of living.
The Israel tactic is to rise above. Ascending to a spot where the opposition can't oppose, where the challenge ceases to exist. It's like using your phone while it's connected to the charger. Driving a car with a built-in gas supply.
While this type of connection is always technically available, practically however, as we move through life, we find ourselves mostly identifying with Jacob. It's a grind, a fight for our values, an uphill battle.
But knowing that we are the Children of Israel, that we have that tether in place, that deep down we have an energy pack that can't be depleted, this energizes us as we take on the world.
If regular day-to-day life is the struggle of Jacob, Shabbat is the charging station of Israel. It is the inspiration and power to navigate the week ahead.
Chanukah is one of those moments when the light shines bright and the darkness vanishes. Please join us on Chanukah as we kindle the lights of Menorah, illuminating the dark, in the world and within our own lives.
ב"ה