Tomorrow Is Another Day- To Sing Shira

In the second aliyah of Parshat Vayishlach we find the famous story of Yaakov's encounter with "a man" (32:25). There are differences of opinion as to who exactly this man was, with whom Yaakov wrestled. Some suggest it was Eisav's Gaurdian Angel. Others suggest the Torah is describing an internal struggle that Yaakov had with himself. Proof to this second approach is the fact that Yaakov is referred to in many instances as "the man." The story ends with Yaakov being injured but ultimately prevailing in his struggle.

Right before Yaakov receives a blessing and a name change to Yisrael, "the man" tells Yaakov, "Let me go for dawn has broken." Why must "the man" leave at dawn? Is he a vampire? Rashi quotes the Midrashic tradition that "the man" was Eisav's guardian angel, and angels must recite Shira, praise to God, at dawn. I find this idea most fascinating and worthy of our attention.

Working with Rashi's assumption, the lesson here is that even Yaakov's arch enemy must pay his respects to the God of Jacob at dawn. There will be a future in which all of humanity, even those who are currently enemies of the Jewish People will acknowledge God and the Jewish People's status as God's PR and Marketing in this world. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow- but we believe that the dawn will ultimately arrive at which point the Angel of Eisav will sing Shira.

And if we work with the interpretation that Yaakov as struggling with himself, then another insight emerges. As Socrates said, "the un-examined life is not worth living." Refection and introspection are not just for the High Holidays, but for all year long. As Jews we are called upon to take a good hard look at ourselves in the mirror all the time. sometimes we struggle with ourselves. Sometimes we are struggling with God. The Torah here is telling us: it's OK to struggle, and you may even get hurt a little in the process. But realize that at the end of this struggle comes the dawn at which point you sing Shira to God. Whether you resolve the struggle or not, you don't leave without acknowledging that God is with us, even in the struggles.

The notion that Jacob's confrontation ends at dawn with Song to God reminds me of a quote by Elie Wiesel:
"You can be a Jew with God; you can be a Jew against God; but not without God."