The Hanassi Blog is delighted to host another devar Torah by our member, Rabbi Paul Bloom. Paul explains: this piece is written in honor of the sixth yahrzeit of my mother, Gitel Bas Yisraell z’L HaKohen, who has all the traits described by the Kli Yakar.
This week’s parsha, Vayishlach, contains one of the most profound and transformative moments in the Torah. Yaakov wrestles all night with a mysterious figure, described as a malach—an angel. At the end of their struggle, the malach asks Yaakov his name.
“He replied, ‘Jacob.’ But he
said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven
with beings divine and human, and have prevailed.’” (Bereishit 32:28–29)
What makes this episode so powerful is the bracha
Yaakov receives. His name is changed to Yisrael—a word of immeasurable
significance and transformative power. The name signifies a new identity and
destiny, not only for Yaakov but for his descendants. Let’s delve into the
meaning of Yisrael as explained by the Kli Yakar, who offers
three profound interpretations of the word and its relevance to us.
1. The Vision of Yisrael: Seeing Beyond
The Kli Yakar suggests that the root of Yisrael
is related to the verb shur, meaning to see clearly. This represents the
ability to perceive beyond the physical—to see the presence of the Shechinah
in the world, even in times of darkness and struggle.
This interpretation connects to Yaakov’s struggle with the malach.
As they wrestled, they raised dust that reached the Kisei HaKavod, the
heavenly throne. The dust was intended to blind Yaakov, obscuring his vision of
holiness. Similarly, our enemies often try to "throw dust in our
eyes"—to blind us to the presence of Hashem. But Yisrael symbolizes
the ability to see through the dust and recognize Hashem’s hand even amidst
adversity.
2. Yisrael as Yashar-El: The Straight Path
The second explanation connects Yisrael to the word yashar,
meaning upright, honest, and moral. To be Yisrael means to live with integrity,
guided by a divine moral compass.
This yashrut—moral clarity—stems from Torah, which
provides a timeless and unshakable value system. Unlike societies that build
morality on shifting human ideologies, Klal Yisrael’s values are grounded in
the eternal truths of Torah.
3. Yisrael as Sar-El: Leadership and Authority
The third interpretation sees Yisrael as stemming
from the word sar, meaning a prince or leader. As Yisrael, Klal Yisrael
is destined to serve as a spiritual leader to the world, fulfilling Yeshayahu’s
vision:
“Many peoples shall go and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of Hashem, to the house of the God of
Jacob; that He may instruct us in His ways.’” (Yeshayahu 2:3)
This vision is Messianic, promising a future where the
nations of the world recognize the truth of Torah and seek guidance from Klal
Yisrael.
Yaakov and Yisrael: Two Dimensions of Spirituality
It’s important to note that Yaakov’s name change is not
permanent, as was Avram’s transformation into Avraham. Throughout the Torah,
Yaakov is sometimes called Yaakov and sometimes Yisrael. Why?
Yaakov represents one aspect of our identity: groundedness
in this world. The name Yaakov is linked to eikev—the
heel—symbolizing physicality and the challenges of navigating a material
existence. In contrast, Yisrael contains the letters li rosh—"I
have a head"—signifying transcendence and spiritual aspiration. Together,
these names represent the duality of our mission: to remain firmly rooted in
this world while striving to connect with the heavens.
The Nesivot Shalom expands on this duality,
explaining that Yaakov reflects yirat Hashem—awe and discipline in
serving Hashem. Yisrael reflects ahavat Hashem—passion and joy in our
connection to Hashem. These two modes, reverence and love, form the foundation
of our relationship with the Divine.
The Legacy of Yisrael Today
The name Yisrael carries profound relevance for us as
individuals and as a nation. It reminds us that, like Yaakov, we may wrestle
with challenges, adversaries, and spiritual struggles. Sometimes the dust
clouds our vision, but we must strive to see the presence of Hashem, remain
steadfast in our values, and lead with purpose and integrity.
Interestingly, when the modern State of Israel was founded,
David Ben-Gurion chose the name Medinat Yisrael. Many other names were
proposed—Ivriya or Yehuda—but Yisrael was selected.
Perhaps, just as the malach whispered Yaakov’s new name, the same divine
inspiration guided this decision, reminding us of our eternal mission and
identity.
May we merit to fully embrace the name Yisrael, with its vision, integrity, and leadership, and may it guide us to the ultimate geulah, speedily in our days.
