Page 509 - BERESHIT
P. 509
Yaakov protected himself from the angel’s assault. He was powerfully
strong and ably withstood bodily harm. How did the Angel succeed in
wrenching Yaakov’s hip out of place and injuring his gid hanasheh?
Additionally, why did the Torah institute a mitzvah to remember this
episode in Yaakov’s life? The Avot had many nisyonot in their lives, and
nowhere do we find a similar commemoration or prohibition.
Those who are wealthy should realize that their riches are granted them
only in the merit of those who learn Torah. The prohibition of gid
hanasheh teaches us this concept. Had Yaakov not prevailed in the end,
Am Yisrael would have lacked fiscal stability.
“Yaakov was left alone and a man wrestled with
him until the break of dawn”
(Bereishit 32:25)
“Therefore the Children of Israel are not to eat
the displaced sinew on the hip-socket to this day,
because he struck Yaakov’s hip-socket on the
displaced sinew”
(ibid. 32:33)
