WHAT A NAME!
In this week’s Parsha, Vayishlach, our father Yaakov encounters the angel of Eisov. After winning him at a wrestling match, Yaakov asks the angel what his name is. The angel tells him that angels like him do not have set names. The reason for this is that their mission changes every time HaKadosh baruch Hu sends him out. Since his mission is constantly changing, no set name would be appropriate.
The Torah is teaching us that our name defines our mission. Consequently, when one’s mission is constantly changing they can have no set name.
When reviewing this point of the Parsha I wondered about our name “Jew”. What is our constant mission and how does the name “Jew” reflect it?
The name “Jew” comes from the name of the fourth son of Leah. Our mother Leah named this child Yehuda. Historically, the majority of the Jews today come from the tribe of Yehuda and therefore they carry that name.
But what is the meaning of Yehuda? How does it relate to our mission?
Leah named this son Yehuda because in this name lies her expression of thanks to HaShem. Odeh es HaShem, which translates as I will give thanks to HaShem.
Why did Leah wait for her fourth son before thanking HaShem, ought she not thank Him with the birth of her first son?
Leah knew that Yaakov was to have 12 sons from four wives. It would therefore be fair that each wife should bear three sons. When Leah was granted a fourth son, this was more than her fair share. This is why she expressed her gratitude at Yehuda’s birth. Her gratitude came from her recognition that she received more than she was deserving.
When a person receives his salary after a hard week’s worth of work, he may feel grateful to his boss and he may not. However, the sense of gratitude that one has when receiving a gift that they do not deserve is infinitely greater than the one who receives what he does deserve.
Yehuda is the name that reflects that deeper level of gratefulness. It is a sense of gratitude that comes from knowledge that there is nothing that I rightfully deserve. Everything I have and I will get is but a gift from HaShem. I did nothing to deserve it.
The mission of the Jew is to come to the recognition that there is nothing that we can do that would “earn” us the “right” to have anything that we have. Even when I keep Shabbos, eat only kosher, study Torah and everything else that is expected of me, I still do not deserve all that HaShem grants me. All the abovementioned activities that I do is because HaKadosh baruch Hu instructed me to do so. It is simply my duty to follow. If He is our source of life and happiness, should it not be expected that I live by His rules?
If so, then my health, happiness and general welfare is a gift that I have no right to expect. So, for those who wear their sense of being Jewish with pride, know that our mission is one of gratitude. The joy one experiences when he appreciates that everything that he has is a gift from the Creator Himself knows no limits. The confidence one develops when he recognizes that the Creator cares so much to provide all his many needs is empowering. How fortunate we are be able to tap into these remarkable gifts!
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind