Yaakov - name change

נמצאו 7 תוצאות חיפוש

1. The Vow and the Name Change

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   The fact that Yaakov's name was changed appears twice in the Torah. Why? What is the purpose of the repetition?

2. What's in a Name?

   HaTanakh.com Staff

3. Rabbi David Tzvi Hoffman's Commentary and Methodology

   Dr. Avigail Rock | שעה ו- 2 דקות

   This shiur examines the commentary of Rabbi David Tzvi Hoffman. While responding to the Biblical critics of his time in his commentary, Rabbi Hoffman explores the text of Tanakh utilizing innovative and creative interpretations to help the readers gain a greater understanding and appreciation of pshat. 

4. "And Yaakov Was Left Alone"

   Rabbi Chanoch Waxman

   Yaakov is left alone and struggles with a mysterious figure. Why are they struggling and why does Yaakov insist on receiving a blessing from this stranger? What motivates Yaakov to meet Esav, and why does God insist on this meeting? Blessedness stems from struggles. The struggle, and the meeting with Esav, is a manifestation of Yaakov’s character transformation and of his sincere search for forgiveness.

5. The Twilight Years

   Rabbi Ezra Bick

   there is an exact point in parashat Vayigash where Yaakov is finally transformed, almost "reborn," as it were.  That point is found at the end of verse 45,27 – Vatechi ruach Yaakov Avihem" – the spirit of Yaakov their father was revived. This is especially noticeable by the change of Yaakov’s name to Yisrael in the following verse. The significance of the sudden change in Yaakov's name is irresistible, and nearly all commentators who remarked on it interpret it to mean that Yaakov's personality was transformed, with the name Yaakov referring to a lower, diminished level, and the name Yisrael signifying the higher, inspired manifestation of Yaakov, nor merely the individual with his personal problems, but the av, the protagonist of Jewish history, the divinely inspired manifestation of Jewish destiny itself.

    

   The news of Yosef restores Yaakov's spirit and he rises to the status of Yisrael, one who will contend with his destiny, with man and with God.  He sets out for Egypt thinking that there is indeed a need to contend with what is waiting for him there, and he is planning to assume once again the leadership of the emerging am yisrael.  The fact that Egypt is exile does not imply that there is no need for struggle and leadership.  But God informs him that that is not what will be.  The experience of Egypt is indeed one of passivity, of suffering, and not one of reaction.  This is not true only of the period of servitude, but becomes true immediately when they arrive.  The house of Yaakov is a ward of the state, provided for by Yosef from the king's stores, totally dependent on royal favor, and hence it is not a total surprise that eventually they fall into servitude. 

   There is still a delayed role for Yaakov to play, seventeen years after he descends to Egypt, and that is the giving of the blessings.  These are not about the sojourn in Egypt and do not effect it; they are about the distant future.  But it is Yaakov's final role as an av, as the greatest of the avot, and not surprisingly, he will be consistently called Yisrael.

6. Yaakov's Dual Descent to Egypt

   Rabbi Zeev Weitman

   Yaakov receives two invitations to go down to Egypt. One comes from Yosef, who invites him to come and live in Goshen, where Yosef will be able to sustain him and his household during the remaining years of the famine. The second invitation is issued by Pharaoh, encouraging Yaakov and all of his household to partake of all the goodness of the land of Egypt. In order to illustrate the dual nature of the descent to Egypt, the Torah makes use of both of Yaakov's names – Yaakov and Yisrael, and a dual description of their dwelling – Goshen and Egypt. 

7. The Parallel Between Yaakov and Avraham

   Prof. Jonathan Grossman

   Yaakov’s departure from Canaan is surprising considering Yitzchak’s prohibition to leave the land. This article compares the main events of Yaakov’s life with those of his grandfather Avraham. The comparison is reinforced by content and literary analysis. Yaakov is required to create the nation of Avraham’s offspring after the crisis of Esau’s rejection despite the fact that he was Yitzchak’s son.