Beloved Friends,
This Shabbat, we read the story of Jacob wrestling the angel in Parashat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:25-33). This Shabbat we also observe Mental Health Awareness Shabbat. These two themes intertwine in powerful ways, inviting us to explore how facing fears, wrestling with inner struggles, and striving for transformation are essential to both spiritual and emotional well-being.
The Torah recounts Jacob’s lonely night by the Jabbok River, where he wrestles with a mysterious figure until dawn. This encounter, which earns him the name Yisrael—“one who wrestles with God”—is a turning point. Jacob, consumed with fear due to his impending reunion with his brother Esau, is forced to confront not only the physical presence of the angel but also his inner turmoil: his guilt, anxiety, and doubts.
Jacob’s struggle resonates deeply in the context of mental health. Just as he wrestled in the dark, many of us face unseen battles with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other challenges. The night can be a metaphor for the isolation and stigma that often accompany mental health struggles. Yet, Jacob’s story reminds us that transformation and growth emerge from these very struggles when we confront them with courage and determination.
Jewish tradition teaches that struggles are not signs of weakness but opportunities for growth. Rashi, the 12th century French scholar and sage, commenting on Genesis 32:25, emphasizes that Jacob’s wrestling match was a test of his resilience and moral strength. Similarly, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a 20th century scholar, explains that the angel symbolizes the trials Jacob needed to overcome to become Yisrael.
In the Mussar tradition, the story reflects the “battle of the yetzer”—the internal conflict between the yetzer hara (negative inclination) and the yetzer tov (positive inclination). Rabbi Israel Salanter, the founder of the Mussar movement, taught that confronting our inner challenges is essential for refining our character. In mental health terms, this is akin to facing our fears, seeking help, and embracing the healing process.
Mental Health Awareness Shabbat highlights the importance of destigmatizing conversations about emotional well-being within our Jewish communities. Jacob’s willingness to wrestle with the angel—even at the cost of injury, symbolized by his limp—teaches us that acknowledging our struggles is not a weakness but a step toward transformation.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s teaching, (that our guest artist Elana Arian set beautifully to music) “The whole world is a narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid,” reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite it. This courage is central to mental health: seeking therapy, opening up about one’s struggles, and supporting others are acts of strength and resilience.
Our communities must emulate Jacob’s journey by creating spaces where individuals feel safe to wrestle with their challenges and find support. The Talmud teaches, “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh”—all of Israel is responsible for one another (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shavuot 39a). This principle reminds us that addressing mental health is not just an individual task but a communal obligation.
This Shabbat, may we commit to continuing to remove the stigma surrounding mental health, fostering open dialogue, and supporting those in need. Just as Jacob emerged from his struggle with a new name and renewed strength, we can help others emerge from their struggles feeling supported, valued, and whole.
Jacob’s story and Mental Health Awareness Shabbat both teach us that struggle is part of the human experience. Yet, it is through facing these struggles—whether spiritual, emotional, or mental—that we grow. May we all find the courage to wrestle with our angels, the strength to support one another, and the wisdom to embrace transformation.
Shabbat Shalom,
