In this week's Torah portion, Jacob is confronted in the middle of the night by a mysterious man who we later learn is an angel Yaakov wrestles with him until dawn, and in the midst of their struggle, the angel dislocated Jacobs thigh, what is called the sciatic nerve ("gid hanasheh"). Parenthetically, this is the reason the Jewish people don't eat the sciatic nerve of any animal.
According to the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachman, a medieval Torah commentator), Jacob's injury is foreshadowing all the persecutions that would face the Jewish people throughout their future. This illustrates the general principle that all of he events that transpired with the forefathers serve as a precedent for their descendants future.
As our sages note, soon after Jacob was entirely healed from his injury. And so to it will be with the Jewish people when the time comes for their redemption . When that time finally comes, there will be no remnant of the injuries from the persecutions of our past
The intention of this episode is not to dwell on the fact that Jacob was injured, but that despite his injury he was able to become fully healed. We pray the same will happen to the Jewish people and the entire world.
We are pleased to announce our Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration, which will take place, G-d willing, on December 18th 6:30 pm at Edgewater mall in Biloxi.
We hope to see you there!
According to the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Nachman, a medieval Torah commentator), Jacob's injury is foreshadowing all the persecutions that would face the Jewish people throughout their future. This illustrates the general principle that all of he events that transpired with the forefathers serve as a precedent for their descendants future.
As our sages note, soon after Jacob was entirely healed from his injury. And so to it will be with the Jewish people when the time comes for their redemption . When that time finally comes, there will be no remnant of the injuries from the persecutions of our past
The intention of this episode is not to dwell on the fact that Jacob was injured, but that despite his injury he was able to become fully healed. We pray the same will happen to the Jewish people and the entire world.
We are pleased to announce our Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration, which will take place, G-d willing, on December 18th 6:30 pm at Edgewater mall in Biloxi.
We hope to see you there!