“Now we will tell Yaakov and Yisrael what Hashem has done”
The question is why does the Posuk mention both the names of Yaakov and Yisrael? The Gemarrah in Sanhedrin 98:b Rabbi Alexandri says: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi raises a contradiction in this verse addressing Hashems’s commitment to redeem the Jewish people. In the verse:
“I the Lord in its time I will hasten it” (Yeshayahu 60:22), it is written: “In its time,” indicating that there is a designated time for the redemption, and it is written: “I will hasten it,” indicating that there is no set time for the redemption. Rabbi Alexandri explains: If they merit redemption through repentance and good deeds I will hasten the coming of the Moshiach. If they do not merit redemption, the coming of the Moshiach will be in its designated time.
We can give an insight into this Gemara. When the Yidden achieve a higher spiritual level they will be redeemed more quickly. However, should they be at a lower level they will have to wait until the proper time to be redeemed. To elaborate on this, it is brought down in seforim, that Yaakov refers to when the Yidden are at a lower level and Yisrael refers to when they are on a higher level. the name Yaakov is derived from the root Eikev, which means “a heel,” because Yaakov was born holding on to his older brother Esav’s heel (Bereishis 25:26). The name Yisrael is the same as Li Rosh, I am at a higher level. When he had Ruach Hakodesh or was on a higher level, he is referred to as Yisroel as it says Bereshis 48:2
And someone told Yaakov and said, "Behold, your son Yosef is coming to you." And Yisrael summoned his strength and sat up on the bed. Yaakov was sick and in a lower level he was Yaakov but when he summoned his strength and reached his higher level he was called Yisrael. The same idea is in Shemos, 19:3 Moshe ascended to Hashem, and Hashem called to him from the mountain, saying, "So shall you say to the house of Yaakov and tell the sons of Yisrael, Rashi asks Why the repetitive language? and Answers: the house of Yaakov: These are the women. Say it to them in a gentle language. and tell the sons of Yisrael: The punishments and the details of the laws explain to the males, as harsh things. This can be Pshat in the Posuk: When the Yidden will be on the level of Yaakov they will be redeemed z¥r ̈M only in the preordained time of redemption. However, when they are at the level of l ¥` ̈x §U ¦i then l ¥w l©r ̈R d ©n we will see the wonders of Hashem and He will redeem us very soon.
