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.
We must ask ourselves for what purpose is Yaakov asking the angel for his name? Who cares what his name is? Furthermore, it is certain that Yaakov knew the principle that an angel’s name changes with each mission; so what is the answer adding as a response to Yaakov’s request?
Our Sages teach us that Eisov’s angel is Satan. Satan’s mission is to cause darkness and confusion; to take clarity away from Man. He appropriately represents Eisov as that is what Eisov stands for. Eisov’s raison d’être is to bring Yaakov down from his own mission which is to serve HaShem and build his relationship with Him.
Yaakov understood this and figured that now that he has Satan in his hands, he wanted to know Satan’s name. He understood that if he knew Satan’s name he would have a deeper understanding of the nature of Satan. Once he could get a deeper insight into Satan’s nature, he would be able to get a better grasp of Satan which would enable him to better control and conquer Satan or at least overcome Satan’s attacks.
Yaakov knew that angels’ names change with each new mission. However, he thought that Satan has only one mis-sion, namely, to cause darkness and confusion and would therefore have only one, unchanging name. That was the name Yaakov wanted to know.
Satan answered that although his mission to cause confusion is constant, nevertheless, his approach to how he would achieve that confusion is always changing. He was therefore responding to Yaakov that in every chapter of history my approach changes and you cannot grasp that deeper insight into my nature. In every chapter of history Satan’s name changes and we must figure out that name to overcome his challenges.
In one period his name may be communism and in another period it may be social progress. In one period he may be called crusades and pogroms while in another chapter it will be advanced technology.
We must constantly be vigilant in identifying Satan and not allow him to topple us.
Have a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind