Do You Know What 'Israel' Means?

Answer

That’s an important question. Names are significant. Your name is your essence, your true self, your mission. And the name of a nation describes its collective character. If we are called the Children of Israel, then that must define our destiny.

Which makes the meaning of the word Israel quite surprising. Israel literally means, “One who struggles with G-d.”

The origin of the name Israel is a biblical verse. Referring to our forefather Jacob, the Torah states: “Your name is Israel, because you struggled with G-d and with man, and prevailed.”

Indeed Jacob’s life was a relentless series of struggles. He clashed with his brother. He was swindled by his father-in-law. He even wrestled with an angel (who was not his mother-in-law).

But he always came out on top. He won all his battles, and those who attacked him all ended up as his friends. He always prevailed. So Jacob, and the nation that came from him, are called Israel.

Which makes the name Israel even more surprising. If our name is all about prevailing in our struggles, why not call us “the one who prevails,” rather than “the one who struggles”? Isn’t the point that we win the battle? So why name us after the struggle, not the victory?

Here is the essence of Judaism. We do believe that goodness prevails in the end. We know that the story has a happy ending. But the happy ending is not our focus. Our focus is the struggle to get there. Regardless of the result, the struggle itself is holy. If you are striving for goodness, even before you get there, you are in. If you are trying to be better, even if sometimes you fall, you are on the path. It’s all about the struggle.

That’s why the Torah doesn’t speak about heaven. The Torah speaks about this life in this world. We believe in the afterlife. But we aren’t preoccupied with it. We focus our energy on the effort to be a good person, the struggle to do the right thing, the battle against our adversaries, both within our own selves, and outside of us.

Some religions seek serenity. Some spiritual paths promise peace. Others offer a place in heaven. Judaism embraces the struggle of the here-and-now. The happy ending will come. But for now, we are here to grapple with G-d, debate with our fellow man, and struggle with ourselves, never accepting that the world can’t change. Starting with me. That’s Israel.