And Yaakov was left alone and a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. (32:25) Who was this man? Rashi says he was the ministering angel of Esov. Chazal say that he is like Amalak. In each and every generation there is a physical Amalak fighting Benai Yisroel as well as a spiritual Amalak tempting Benai Yisroel. So where was this Amalak during the times of Avraham and Yitzchak? How come we don’t find any reference to him before this?
Chazal tell us that sometimes Hashem will look away at the sins of idol worship, illicit relations and murder but Hashem will not look away at the sin of not learning Torah.
Why? When two nations go to battle anything can happen. Even if one day it seems one nation is winning, the other nation can rebound and win the next day. The tide of battle can always turn - with one exception. If one nation destroys the armor, tanks, planes and ammunition of the enemy, then the war is over.
The second nation has no chance to recover. The armor and ammunition of Benai Yisroel is Torah. No matter what Benai Yisroel does wrong, Torah gives the ability to rebound. But if Benai Yisroel abandon Torah, there is no chance. Therefore, Hashem will not look away at the sin of not learning Torah.
Avraham was the symbol of kindness - the Angel of Esov didn’t bother fighting. Yitzchak was the symbol of service to Hashem - the Angel of Esov didn’t bother fighting. Yaakov was the symbol of Torah - the Angel of Esov attacked where it matters. (Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman)
Reprinted from the Parshas Vayislach 5786 email of R’ Yedidye Hirtenfeld’s whY I Matter parsha sheet for the Young Israel of Midwood in Brooklyn, NY.
