KNOW YOUR ENEMY
Taken from the thoughts of Rabbi Ezriel Munk, Rabbi of Adass Yisroel – Berlin
In this week’s Parsha when Yaakov is alone, the angel (the spiritual source) of Eisov engages him in a wrestling match and tries to bring him down. The fight endures through the night and the angel is unable to topple Yaakov. At day-break the angel tells Yaakov that he must go. Yaakov refuses to release him unless the angel will bless him. The angel asks Yaakov what his name is to which Yaakov responds ‘Yaakov’. The angel then tells him that his name will no longer be Yaakov but will be Yisroel. Yaakov then asks the angel ‘and what is your name?’ to which he responds that he has no permanent name. Rashi explains that the angel’s name reflects the mission he is on. Since his mission changes his name changes as well.