Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"… someone wrestled with him until the break of day. And when he saw that he could not prevail against him he gripped the joint of his thigh…" (32, 25-26)

Future struggles

The angel, who was in reality the protecting angel of Edom attacked Yakov and attempted to destroy him. Yakov fought back and a struggle ensured. Yakov and the angel wrestled all night but the angel remained unable to overcome Yakov - he injured only his thigh.

Yakov's nightlong struggle was a forerunner of his descendants' future struggle in the long exile that is compared to night. The nations attempt to seduce the Jewish people into abandoning the Torah and joining them, promising them greatness and honor. But just as the angel was unable to overpower Yakov, so will the nations be unsuccessful in uprooting the Nation of Israel from their Creator.

The injury Yakov suffered at the hands of Aisav's angel was a forecast that Yakov's descendants would be severely bruised by gentile barbarity but still would never be annihilated.

As morning dawned, the battle between Yakov and Eisav ended, Yakov emerging the victor.  Similarly, the Jewish people will only free itself of gentile domination at the termination of the long exile.

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Mayer Sasson