Yaakov struggled with an angel until dawn, whereupon the angel told him, “Your name will no longer be called Yaakov, but Yisrael” (Vayishlach 32:29).
G-d created people to be straightforward, as is readily apparent in very young children. As a person’s mind develops, he begins to strategize that it would be better to lie in order to avoid harm or to attract gain. Tzaddikim, however, retain their sense of pure honesty; they employ cunningness only when forced to outsmart the wicked, as Yaakov did with Esav.
When the dawn of redemption rises, wickedness will cease, for even the many nations will walk by the light of G-d, and the tzaddikim will be free to maintain their straightforwardness.
The name Yaakov implies outsmarting, while the name Yisrael comes from yashar, “straightforward.” At the rise of dawn, the angel assured Yaakov that his name will be Yisrael, implying that when redemption dawns upon the world, the tzaddikim will never again be forced to deal cunningly with the likes of Esav.
Maharam Shik
Yalkut Moshiach uGeulah al HaTorah
Translated by Yaakov Paley
