<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"
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this, that you ask my name?</title><link rel="stylesheet"
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href="https://www.aishdas.org/asp/why-is-this-that-you-ask-my-name">Why is
this, that you ask my name?</a>'<br>
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alt="Rembrandt: Jacob Wrestling with the Angel" class="wp-image-6403"
width="419" height="499"
srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.aishdas.org/asp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1811px-Rembrandt_-_Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel_-_Google_Art_Project1.jpg?resize=1200%2C1431&ssl=1
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https://i0.wp.com/www.aishdas.org/asp/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1811px-Rembrandt_-_Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel_-_Google_Art_Project1.jpg?resize=1717%2C2048&ssl=1
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1811w" sizes="(max-width: 419px) 100vw, 419px" data-recalc-dims="1"
/><figcaption>Rembrandt: Jacob Wrestling with the
Angel</figcaption></figure></div>
<p>In Vayishlakh, this week’s <em>parashah</em>, Yaaqov Avinu battles an
angel. At the end he asks the angel what his name was. The angel answers,
“לָמָּה זֶּה תִּשְׁאַל לִשְׁמִי — why
is this that you ask my name?” A <em>mal’akh </em>is literally a
messenger. An angel is defined by its mission. Thus the name of the angel of
healing is simply “Refa’el — G-d Heals”, as one
example. But the story in our <em>parashah </em>goes to its conclusion
apparently without Yaaqov getting an answer to his question.</p>
<p>I would like to suggest that the angel <strong>did </strong>answer
Yaaqov.</p>
<p>Rav Chiya bar Chanina (Bereishis Rabba #72) identifies this angel as שרו
של עשו, the national angel of Eisav’s descendants. Among those
descendants is Amaleiq and his offspring. Which, in turn, is a nation Rashi
(Devarim 25:18) and others attribute an ideology of מקרה, it’s all
happenstance. No Divine Plan or purpose to creation.</p>
<p>Putting those two together… When Yaaqov asks for a name, the angel
replies with its name. The name is “לָמָּה זֶּה
תִּשְׁאַל לִשְׁמִי — why is this that you ask my
name?” The angel that is the metaphysical manifestation of Esav’s
nations is the one with the function of “why ask for names?” Why
are you looking for a plan or function?</p>
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You may view the latest post at<br>
<a
href="https://www.aishdas.org/asp/why-is-this-that-you-ask-my-name">https://www.aishdas.org/asp/why-is-this-that-you-ask-my-name</a><br>
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Best regards,<br>
micha<br>
micha@aishdas.org</body></html>