Parsha #8 (V'Yishlach / "And He Sent")
Breisheet / Genesis 32:4[3] to 36:43
Edition: 14L06
A word of explanation about the chapter & verse location of this Parsha.
I use The Complete Jewish Bible as my main source Bible. In some places,
the Hebrew Text verse count is slightly different from those of the main
‘English’ Bibles. This is due to a variety of reasons, but generally because
of phrasing between the two languages, which may alter the verse count.
This should not concern anyone, beyond the confusion of how it is indicated,
thus when there is a difference in verse counts, I will place the verse number
as per the CJB version first, with the English version verse number in square brackets immediately following, as in the passage for this week; Breisheet/Genesis 32:4[3] to 36:43. This system also applies in the first paragraph, below. (BDP)*
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I use The Complete Jewish Bible as my main source Bible. In some places,
the Hebrew Text verse count is slightly different from those of the main
‘English’ Bibles. This is due to a variety of reasons, but generally because
of phrasing between the two languages, which may alter the verse count.
This should not concern anyone, beyond the confusion of how it is indicated,
thus when there is a difference in verse counts, I will place the verse number
as per the CJB version first, with the English version verse number in square brackets immediately following, as in the passage for this week; Breisheet/Genesis 32:4[3] to 36:43. This system also applies in the first paragraph, below. (BDP)*
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
“P’ni-El”
Ya'acov came from the north (Harran) to the Yabok River and camped at "Ford of the Yabok",
near Machanayim".
Greetings Sojourners, Friends, Guests and Other Readers! Welcome!
During last year’s MBC Torah Study, I entitled the material for this week’s Parsha “A New Beginning”. You will note that the passage opens with Ya'acov sending out a series of ‘gifts’ to his brother Esav who was on his way to meet him after some 34 years of being separated. For today’s teaching, I wish to begin a little further into the passage – with the two paragraphs beginning with chapter 32:23[22]-32:33[32] This passage deals with the Naming of P’ni’El or Peniel, which is located at the “ford” (crossing point) of the Yabok (Jabok) River near “Machanayim” or “Two Camps” (See Map B and C. Note: Penuel = Peniel)
During last year’s MBC Torah Study, I entitled the material for this week’s Parsha “A New Beginning”. You will note that the passage opens with Ya'acov sending out a series of ‘gifts’ to his brother Esav who was on his way to meet him after some 34 years of being separated. For today’s teaching, I wish to begin a little further into the passage – with the two paragraphs beginning with chapter 32:23[22]-32:33[32] This passage deals with the Naming of P’ni’El or Peniel, which is located at the “ford” (crossing point) of the Yabok (Jabok) River near “Machanayim” or “Two Camps” (See Map B and C. Note: Penuel = Peniel)
Having sent the three envoys ahead with the ‘gifts’ for Esav, Ya'acov now prepares for his continuing move back into Kena’an. We are told that Ya'acov arose from his bed and packed up his tents and all his possessions, as well as his family, servants, flocks and herds and sent them across to the other side of the Yabok where, he ostensibly told them, “Wait there until I rejoin you”. Meanwhile, he remains alone on the bank of the river.
The Story continues: “Then some man wrestled with him until daybreak. When He saw that he did not defeat Ya'acov, He struck Ya'acov’s hip socket, so that his hip was dislocated while wrestling with Him. The man said, ‘Let me go, because it’s daybreak.” But Ya'acov replied, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.’ The man asked ‘What is your name?’ and he answered, ‘Ya'acov.’
Then the man said, ‘From now on, you will no longer be called Ya'acov, but Isra’el; because you have shown your strength to both God and men and have prevailed.’ Ya'acov asked Him, ‘Please tell me Your Name.’ but [the man] answered, ‘Why are you asking about My Name?’ and He blessed [Ya'acov] there.”
Jewish tradition, led by the thinking of Rashi, states that Ya'acov returned for some small earthen vessels, items – not of general value – yet valuable to Ya'acov. The sages point out that this act illustrates the honesty of Ya'acov. Obviously, these items were important to Ya'acov, but I don’t think it was the vessels themselves that mattered, rather it was the contents. In a preceding comment, it is pointed out that Avraham was renowned for his ‘kindness’, while Yitzchak was known for his ‘service’. The claim to fame for Ya'acov, however, was that he represented ‘Torah’, the crucial third pillar in the ongoing mission of the yet to be founded “Eretz Yisrael”. We have noted earlier that Ya'acov spent most of his time studying Torah, in the Yeshiva in the camp of Yitzchak, with the mentors Shem and Eber, and I believe it is safe to assume, while living with Lavan and family in Paddan Aram (Harran).. With this seemingly insignificant phrase, I believe that, if Rashi is correct, and it was earthen vessels Ya'acov returned [sic] to get, they must have contained his scrolls of the Torah.
On the other hand, I believe that there was a completely different reason for his remaining behind on the bank of the river. I believe he had an appointment with destiny, unbeknownst to him at the time.
On the other hand, I believe that there was a completely different reason for his remaining behind on the bank of the river. I believe he had an appointment with destiny, unbeknownst to him at the time.
This Sculpture "Jacob Wrestles With The Angel" by Nathan Rapaport is located on the property of the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre in North York. I was very much affected by this work, b/c before seeing it, I had never considered the advantage the "Angel" would have had over Ya'acov.
This passage, to me, always demands the question: “Who was ‘the man’ that Ya'acov encountered?”. There are different responses to this query. Lekach Tov[i] claims that the struggle was with the angel of evil [Satan??]. Sforno claims that it was a heavenly angel dispatched by God so as to “pave the way for the ultimate salvation of Ya'acov and his descendants”. The struggle foreshadows how “the Jewish people would suffer losses in the future, but emerge with even greater victories and blessings.” (SEASC p 175)
Personally, I believe that Ya'acov’s declaration of the name of the place following the “battle”, coupled with the fact that there is indeed a blessing given to Ya'acov in the end (something which I believe only God can do) confirms for me that it was indeed God with whom Ya'acov struggled. (Technically, being Messianic, I would actually say that this encounter was an early encounter with the pre-incarnate Messiah himself, One who is fully God, yet able to ‘meet’ with mankind. This encounter, then, is similar to those recorded about Avraham at the Oak of Mamre, and with the One to whom Avraham offered a tithe of his plundered treasure – namely Melchi-Tzedek.)
Personally, I believe that Ya'acov’s declaration of the name of the place following the “battle”, coupled with the fact that there is indeed a blessing given to Ya'acov in the end (something which I believe only God can do) confirms for me that it was indeed God with whom Ya'acov struggled. (Technically, being Messianic, I would actually say that this encounter was an early encounter with the pre-incarnate Messiah himself, One who is fully God, yet able to ‘meet’ with mankind. This encounter, then, is similar to those recorded about Avraham at the Oak of Mamre, and with the One to whom Avraham offered a tithe of his plundered treasure – namely Melchi-Tzedek.)
We are told that Ya'acov wrestled with ‘the man’ [sic], or as I have reasoned, with God, throughout the night. At the end of the struggle, Ya'acov is given a new name – “Israel”, a name, and title, befitting his role in the development of Eretz Yisrael’s mission for God – that of being the guardian of Torah in history, and thus, the means of proclamation to all nations the Good News of God’s plan of salvation for humanity.
All his life, the name of Ya'acov has been a burden for him to carry. Its meaning, (heel, or grasping, or deceit) had constantly told his family, close and distant, of his birth, his deceiving others, and of his supposedly ‘wrongly’ obtaining the blessing of his father Yitzchak. Now, however, the new name will wipe out the stigma from his life because he has clearly striven with God Himself, and been victorious in the venture. As a result, God has bestowed honour and glory unto him – “you have struggled with Your God, and you have legally and rightfully been blessed directly by the One who gives all blessings.” The final afirmation for me, comes with Ya'acov naming the place “P’ni’El”, literally meaning “face of God”, but more fully, “I have met God, face to face.”
Like Ya'acov (Israel), we all must struggle with God. It is our vocation to learn all we can about our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. It is our pleasure to read about God’s faithfulness to humanity, and the power that we have through the indwelling Ruach ha Kodesh within ourselves. It is our challenge to make sense of our lives in light of God’s calling placed upon us, and to reason through the questions which we may have when we encounter evil and tyranny in the world. So it is, that at some point (or points) in our lives, we come to our own “Fords of the Yabok”, where we “meet with God, face to face”. So it is that we struggle through the darkness, and then realize our victory amidst the rising light of dawn. So it is that we, emerging victorious in our own struggle, come into the “Light of the World”, changed men and women, strengthened and affirmed in our Divinely initiated mission.
But there is one important thing to remember. Just as we will see in upcoming Parsiot, there is no sea nor river which must be crossed which is impossible for us to overcome. God will always provide a way through so that we can carry on. The key here is that Ya'acov was brought to the “Ford” of the Yabok River. It was intended from the beginning that he should successfully “cross over” and carry on. In the same way, God may bring us before difficult times, but it is His pleasure, that when we trust in His saving Grace, He will provide the means to move forward for us as well.
Shavua Tov!! - Have a Great Week!!
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All his life, the name of Ya'acov has been a burden for him to carry. Its meaning, (heel, or grasping, or deceit) had constantly told his family, close and distant, of his birth, his deceiving others, and of his supposedly ‘wrongly’ obtaining the blessing of his father Yitzchak. Now, however, the new name will wipe out the stigma from his life because he has clearly striven with God Himself, and been victorious in the venture. As a result, God has bestowed honour and glory unto him – “you have struggled with Your God, and you have legally and rightfully been blessed directly by the One who gives all blessings.” The final afirmation for me, comes with Ya'acov naming the place “P’ni’El”, literally meaning “face of God”, but more fully, “I have met God, face to face.”
Like Ya'acov (Israel), we all must struggle with God. It is our vocation to learn all we can about our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. It is our pleasure to read about God’s faithfulness to humanity, and the power that we have through the indwelling Ruach ha Kodesh within ourselves. It is our challenge to make sense of our lives in light of God’s calling placed upon us, and to reason through the questions which we may have when we encounter evil and tyranny in the world. So it is, that at some point (or points) in our lives, we come to our own “Fords of the Yabok”, where we “meet with God, face to face”. So it is that we struggle through the darkness, and then realize our victory amidst the rising light of dawn. So it is that we, emerging victorious in our own struggle, come into the “Light of the World”, changed men and women, strengthened and affirmed in our Divinely initiated mission.
But there is one important thing to remember. Just as we will see in upcoming Parsiot, there is no sea nor river which must be crossed which is impossible for us to overcome. God will always provide a way through so that we can carry on. The key here is that Ya'acov was brought to the “Ford” of the Yabok River. It was intended from the beginning that he should successfully “cross over” and carry on. In the same way, God may bring us before difficult times, but it is His pleasure, that when we trust in His saving Grace, He will provide the means to move forward for us as well.
Shavua Tov!! - Have a Great Week!!
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Endnotes
[1] "Lekach Tov" – also known as the Pesikta Zutarta – is a [poetic?] commentary on the Pentateuch (Torah). It was written by Poet and Talmudist Tobias ben Eliezer, a resident of Mainz, Germany in about 1096. He is thought by some to have been one of Rashi’s teachers. Tobias ben Eliezer is well known to be a lover of good style and order, and his works reflect this approach toward careful interpretation.
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[1] "Lekach Tov" – also known as the Pesikta Zutarta – is a [poetic?] commentary on the Pentateuch (Torah). It was written by Poet and Talmudist Tobias ben Eliezer, a resident of Mainz, Germany in about 1096. He is thought by some to have been one of Rashi’s teachers. Tobias ben Eliezer is well known to be a lover of good style and order, and his works reflect this approach toward careful interpretation.
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Acknowledgements
Wikipedia and other Internet sources for background information
Scherman, R. Nosson; and Zlotowitz, R. Meir; Editors, Stone Edition Art Scroll Chumash, Mesorah Heritage Foundation / Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, New York, 2008
Stern, David, The Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish New Testament Publications Inc, Clarkville, Maryland. 1998
Zodiates, Spiros, Exec Editor, The Hebrew Greek Key Word Bible (New American Version Bible) AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 1977
Barker, Kenneth, General Editor, The New International Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985
Wikipedia and other Internet sources for background information
Scherman, R. Nosson; and Zlotowitz, R. Meir; Editors, Stone Edition Art Scroll Chumash, Mesorah Heritage Foundation / Mesorah Publications, Ltd., Brooklyn, New York, 2008
Stern, David, The Complete Jewish Bible, Jewish New Testament Publications Inc, Clarkville, Maryland. 1998
Zodiates, Spiros, Exec Editor, The Hebrew Greek Key Word Bible (New American Version Bible) AMG Publishers, Chattanooga, TN 1977
Barker, Kenneth, General Editor, The New International Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985