The Wrestlers
We have instruments that G-d put at our disposal, such as the internet, fax machines, computers etc. Some view these technological marvels as the “angel of Esau” that must be fought because of their negative influence. It makes more sense to view the tools of modern technology as positive instruments that were invented to challenge us. By utilizing this technology to transmit more of Torah and positive messages to a greater number of people — i.e., showing G-d’s mastery over technology and not the reverse — we achieve a great victory for G-d and the Jewish people — which is the definition of the word Israel.
Struggling with Esau’s Guardian Angel
Jacob was returning home from his 22 year sojourn with his uncle Laban, where he established a family and amassed a huge fortune. Now he was about to confront his brother Esau from whom he had “appropriated” his father’s blessings.
Before Jacob reaches his brother Esau, the Torah records how Jacob had sent all his family forwards and he was left alone. At that point, a “man” wrestled with Jacob all night long until Jacob prevailed..
Our Sages tell us that this was no ordinary man with whom Jacob wrestled. Rather this was Esau’s guardian angel. This confrontation portended the struggle Jacob’s progeny, the Jewish nation, will be destined to experience at the hands of those who were endowed with Esau’s spirit.
By prefacing that this struggle occurred when Jacob remained alone, we can derive the obvious lesson that threats to Jewish survival and well-being can only come when we fail to be united; when we stand alone.
But, there are additional lessons to be derived from the way the Torah characterizes their struggle. The Torah describes their encounter by using a word “Va’yei’avku” that can be translated two ways. This word that is usually translated as “and they wrestled” actually has two meanings, representing two distinct characteristics of a wrestling match:
It can be rendered, “And they embraced,” or “and they caused the dust to rise.” When people wrestle, they do hold each other in an embrace and they also stir up the dust they are fighting on that rises high into the air.
The paradigm for the Future
Based on the notion that the confrontation Jacob had with the angel is a paradigm for all future struggles the Jewish people will have with their enemies, we must attempt to understand what are the two characteristics of wrestling “embracing” and “kicking up the dust” all about in terms of our own personal struggles with our physical and spiritual adversaries?
On one level, the Chatam Sofer (one of the greatest 18th century Halachic authorities and Jewish leaders) explains that there are two methods that the nations of the world traditionally attempted to turn us away from our religion. Either they threw dust in our faces, figuratively speaking, by constantly persecuting, deriding and humbling us like the dust of the earth. And –when they realize that persecution and ridicule do not work, they try to take us into their embrace and entice us to assimilate into their culture and abandon the Jewish traditions.
From this perspective, however, the struggle with the angel of Esau is viewed as a negative experience. One must learn how to avoid this battle and not be attacked or lured by our adversary.
No Engage but do not Embrace
One can also understand the entire struggle with this angel in a positive manner. Rather than viewing it as a battle against our enemy, we can look at it as guide how to engage our adversary, thereby meeting the challenge that is the very purpose of our existence.
G-d put us here precisely because He wanted us to deal with Esau and that which he represents.. Life is not just about self-defense and avoidance of being influenced by evil, it is about engagement with the “outside” world and changing it, as it was in the narrative of Jacob’s wrestling match. The angel finally declared that Jacob was the master (the translation of the name Israel) and not a follower (the translation of the name Jacob-Heel). When even Esau’s forces recognize the beauty of Jewish values; that is a confrontation that is purposeful and desirable.
However, while we are engaged in this “effort” and meeting the challenge to affect even the angel of Esau, we must not lower our standards, just to be able to relate to the Esau’s of the world. We must not allow Esau’s angel to “embrace” us with his way of thinking; on the contrary we must be the ones to influence him. And secondly, we must not allow Esau to “kick up the dust” so that we no longer have the same appreciation for our own ways, because it is covered with dust.
Instruments of Modernity: Double Edged Swords
One application for our times is clear. We have instruments that G-d put at our disposal, such as the internet, fax machines, computers etc. Some view these technological marvels as the “angel of Esau” that must be fought because of their negative influence. However, in light of the above, it makes more sense to view the tools of modern technology as positive instruments that were invented to challenge us. By utilizing this technology to transmit more of Torah and positive messages to a greater number of people — i.e., showing G-d’s mastery over technology and not the reverse — we achieve a great victory for G-d and the Jewish people — which is the definition of the word Israel.
The fact that these technologies were not around before, tells us that they were revealed now as a preparation for such time that the entire world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d. Even Esau will be refined and recognize the oneness of G-d and His sovereignty. We do, though, have to take the necessary precautions that these “Messianic tools” do not throw dust in our eyes, embrace and master us. Instead, they will aid us in the dissemination of goodness and holiness throughout the world.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Vayishlach by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
