Parshas Vayishlach 5782
A couple texts to some well-meaning neighbors, and groceries sat perched right upon our doorstep. Isolation in the 21st century is pretty cushy. Certainly more so than what Yaakov experienced as he remained detached from his family on the wrong side of the Yabok River:
וַיִּקָּחֵם וַיַּעֲבִרֵם אֶת־הַנָּחַל וַיַּעֲבֵר אֶת־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ׃ וַיִּוָּתֵר יַעֲקֹב לְבַדּוֹ וַיֵּאָבֵק אִישׁ עִמּוֹ עַד עֲלוֹת הַשָּׁחַר
בראשית לב:כד–כה
And he took [his family] and he crossed them over the river and sent over all that he had. And Yaakov was left all alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.
Bereishis 32:24-25
When Yaakov was alone, he was alone. No SOS calls, no reaching out to a friend for help, no calling upon a family member for assistance. No Trader Joe’s or ShopRite delivery. No Amazon Prime. Alone. Really alone.
For the many in our community who have been in some form of isolation or another this week, the comparison to Yaakov Avinu’s isolation in Parshas Vayishlach bears an important lesson. Even when we are alone, we are blessedly connected. There’s plenty to say about the compulsive use of social media and how it does so much to weaken and cheapen genuine relationships. But at times, it’s worth stopping to appreciate how these tools do offer an incredible means of staying in touch with family, friends, and community members, and the ability to provide and receive support when it’s really needed.
Even if you’ve been without any other real people in your immediate environs, consider how much more comfortable our isolation is compared to Yaakov Avinu’s. Yaakov could not call or text his family and friends. His family and friends could not call or text him. We can. And we should appreciate the great blessing that that is.
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But in a certain sense, it’s worth thinking of our own isolation as comparing a bit more closely to Yaakov’s. On the heels of his scuffle with the angel, Yaakov’s name is changed to Yisrael. This signifies, “כִּי־שָׂרִיתָ עִם־אֱלֹקים וְעִם־אֲנָשִׁים וַתּוּכָל — for you have striven with Divine beings and humans and have prevailed.” Rav Soloveitchik noted how strange it is that this wrestling match be considered of such great consequence that Yaakov now becomes known by a different name as a result of it. What was it that Yaakov gained in this bout with the angel? What was he even fighting for, and what did he win? Rav Soloveitchik answers that what Yaakov achieved was the struggle itself.
Struggling helps to purge and to purify even when there are no clear gains. It is a reminder of the resiliency of the human being and one’s ability to overcome in spite of great odds. Those experiences of struggle are stored as muscle memory and can be drawn upon in times of difficulty. If we’ve overcome once, we can overcome again.
In this capacity, it is worth considering recovery from illness against the backdrop of Yaakov’s struggle with the angel. My own personal goal for life after COVID was not to gain ground, to have achieved anything tangible, or to be stronger in any way. It was simply to remain. To be the same. To be as I was before the virus. But I think something was gained. I do not mean to exaggerate the experience in any way; but I do not wish to belittle it, either. COVID-19 has killed many thousands of people. Yet in the average person it is eminently survivable, because the human body is strong and resilient. A world of activity took place inside of my body and the virus was overcome. What was gained? Nothing more than a further reminder of the immense capacity that Hashem has installed into the human being. That the miraculous human body can vanquish a virus that in so many has proved tragically lethal.
Take stock of all who have become healed, and what a remarkable thing that is. It serves as a reminder of the deep reservoirs of ability, strength, and talent, latent in each of us. It’s worth considering just how great are the natural endowments that Hashem has blessed us with. Even when left in isolation, they can be drawn upon to lift us over great challenges.