Understanding Ya'aqov vs. Yisrael

25 Iyyar 5786
40 Days of the Omer

If you read through those articles linked on the Yom Rishon blog post, you will have had a couple of opportunities to reacquaint yourself with the Midrash where it says that in the future, Eisav will put on a tallit and approach Ya'aqov calling him "brother."  He will offer to meet Ya'akov halfway, if Ya'aqov consents to do the same, each of them pledging to compromise for the sake of unity.  

Note that Eisav makes a point of being the elder of the twins, commanding the respect due the bechor, but such "unity" would be on Eisav's terms and to Eisav's benefit first and foremost.  

Politically, Eisav is "Edom" and culturally, he is Western.  Spiritually, he is Judeo-Chr*stian.  And at every level, he works to keep his brother down and under his control.  Because at the end of the day (at the End of Days) Eisav understands that the moment he loses control of Ya'aqov is the moment he loses the lofty position he has acquired for himself through deception and corruption and at times, pure evil.

The State of Israel is currently operating like a twin of Eisav - "no daylight between them."  It claims "brotherhood" with gentile nations.  It brags about being a haven for Eisav's idolatrous religion as well as its perversions and revulsions.  It begs to be allowed to sell out its citizens, its heritage and its future offspring for a pat on the head and a seat at the table.  

Fortunately for us, however, Ya'aqov has the ability (and the destiny) to rise above the level of Eisav's twin and to become Israel in truth.

...Ya’akov had to leave Eretz Yisroel and spend 36 years away from home in order to bring about the most important transition of all: change from Ya’akov to Yisroel.  ...Although he left Eretz Yisroel as Ya’akov Avinu, he returned 24 years later as Yisroel. For, it was at the border of Eretz Yisroel, while crossing the Yabok River, that Ya’akov fought with the angel and prevailed, earning his new name, Yisroel:  “Your name shall no longer be called Ya’akov, but Yisroel, for you have struggled with a heavenly being and with man, and have prevailed.” (Bereishis 32:29)

...The Malbim sees a division that will occur in the Jewish people at the end of days, one which will not occur along traditional lines. There will be two camps amongst the Jews, one called Ya’akov and the other called Yisroel, and the difference between the two will be based upon the desire, or lack thereof to reject acceptance amongst the gentiles as sufficient redemption.

Apparently it is the Ya’akov side of the Jewish people — the masses — who will be joyous about staying in the Diaspora, enjoying acceptance amongst the gentiles and even positions of leadership. On the other hand, this will not be satisfactory for the Yisroel camp of the Jewish people, and they will publicly long for the ideal form of redemption, for the return to Eretz Yisroel and to Tzion — true Tzion. It will be a great Kiddush Hashem, and apparently trigger the final stages of the Final Redemption.

This is a new spin on the name Yisroel.  According to the Malbim, it is a name that signifies a specific attitude of the Jew at the end of days, one that leaves a Jew yearning for the complete and final redemption in every sense of the term. Whereas Ya’akov is satisfied with new-found freedoms and high positions amongst the gentiles, Yisroel only sees that stage of redemption as an intermediary one, on the way to the final return of the Jewish people to the their land, and more importantly, the return of the Divine Presence to Eretz Yisroel.    (Source) 

It is no coincidence that the Twin Towers and their "fall" had Jewish and Israeli connections.  Whether people were aware of it or not, they represented the power of Eisav and Ya'aqov when they operated in the mode of twins.

It is also no coincidence that their "fall" kicked off the "forever war" in the Middle East, a war that pit the Twins against Yishmael.

Once Eisav/Edom entrenched himself in this part of the world, the new tower reflected the new reality - One in place of Two.  Eisav always intended that Ya'aqov would be subsumed within his brother's milieux.  He had already tried killing him but then saw that his own success depended on access to his brother's innate kedushah.  The only way to defeat his brother was to harness his power and maintain absolute control over him.  

"Freedom" for Eisav but enslavement for Ya'aqov.  However, these rules do not apply to Yisrael!!!

It's interesting that the month of Sivan, represented astrologically by the Twins (Gemini), is the very month when Yisrael as a whole finally rose to the heights of its spiritual power upon receiving the Torah.  Obedience to the Torah and servitude to HKB"H is the epitome of true freedom.

Now, is the ideal time to make up your mind and choose your camp - will you continue to be a Ya'aqov or will you rise to become a Yisrael?