By Steve Ornstein
This weekly portion of the Torah/Bible that artist Phillip Ratner focused on was the legendary event of Jacob wrestling with the Angel through the night. Before releasing it he received a blessing with the name change to Yisrael/Israel.
There is much written on this incident by many Rabbis and Torah scholars that I hope you will all look into. The gambit is far and wide regarding what it was that grabbed Jacobs attention and revelation that night. Enjoy.
Shabbat Shalom.
” And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he wrenched Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the socket of his hip was strained as he wrestled him. Then he said, “Let me go, for dawn is breaking.” But he answered, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” Said the other, “What is your name?” He replied, “Jacob.” Said he, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, But Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevealed.”
English translation from Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary The Jewish Publication Society.
This illustration is courtesy of International Artist Phillip Ratner. This is one of a series that Israel Seen has been fortunate to receive from the artist for exclusive internet use. This is one of the major moments in this weeks Torah, Bible reading. Feel free to make copies of the art by permission of Mr. Ratner
