Midreshet Amit

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You know that feeling when you are absolutely terrified of something and all you want to do is run away? Then.. someone comes along and says "no you have to face your fears" and gives you the push that propels you forward both literally and figuratively. In Parshat Vayishlach Yaakov has this experience. He is about to face Esav who he hasn't seen in 20 years and all he wants to do is run. In fact according to the Rashbam that is exactly what he is doing when he runs into a "man" in the middle of the night. He has left his family behind when he should have protected them. What is the meaning of this encounter with the Man/Angel? The angel serves as the friend who pushes Yaakov to face his fear and propels him forward. They fight all night and in the morning Yaakov does not leave unharmed, his leg is maimed in the process. While it would have been optimal for Yaakov to face his fears from the outset, this encounter enables Yaakov to change his destiny and end in up with the reward of a new name, a new faith. For all of us leaving our families to come here for the year was scary, but our parents pushed us to embrace our fears to change our destiny.