 DECEMBER 3 • 2020 | 27

W

hen we have 
conversations 
about climate 
change, it often feels like 
doom and gloom. Scary 
facts, worst-case scenarios 
and ticking clocks. Even 
our language: “fighting” 
climate change places us in 
an adversarial relationship. 
But it doesn’t need to be 
this way.
In this week’s portion, 
Jacob wrestles an adver-
sary. We don’t get many 
details of the match, but com-
mentators typically see this man 
as a hostile angel who attacked 
Jacob unprompted. We know the 
struggle lasted until dawn when 
the man wrenched Jacob’s hip.
But what happens if we reread 
four different elements of this 

story according to com-
mentaries that aren’t as 
often referenced to rethink 
our relationship to climate 
justice work?
1. Jacob wrestled him-
self: According to Pirkei 
DeRabbi Eliezer (37), Jacob 
wrestled himself that night: 
“
And [the angel] called 
[Jacob’s] name ‘Israel’ like 
his own name, for his own 
name was called ‘Israel.
’”
2. Jacob was the one to 
engage: Based on note-
worthy grammar, biblical scholar 
Aviva Zornberg argues that Jacob 
initially approached the angel: 
“Perhaps, in some enigmatic 
sense, Jacob is the aggressor.
” 
(The Beginning of Desire, 234).
3. There was embrace: There 
seems to be an element of 

embrace to this wrestling (Rashi 
and Ramban). Zornberg: “This 
is clearly a passionate experience, 
involving the closest confronta-
tion (literally face-to-face) of the 
whole body” (ibid).
4. A blessing: Jacob refused to 
let the “angel” go without receiv-
ing a blessing. Regardless of the 
tenor of the encounter, Jacob 
demanded that its conclusion be 
blessing.
I suggest we consider our 
approach to climate justice in 
this light:
1. Let us recognize that we are 
really wrestling with ourselves. 
Individually, it is upon us to make 
choices that we are proud of and 
that contribute to a healthier, 
more sustainable and more equi-
table world for all.
2. It’s up to us to engage first, to 

read that article, recycle that con-
tainer, call that representative.
3. Climate work must be root-
ed in love. We embrace nature 
because we’ve been nourished by 
nature’s embrace. Let that drive 
our work, even as we struggle.
4. We won’t stop until we are 
blessed. Despite whatever hard-
ships and challenges, our North 
Star is abundant blessing for us 
and all of God’s creatures.
Jacob is transformed by his 
encounter and given a new 
name, “Yisrael,” the one who 
wrestles with God, namesake of 
our people.
In our pursuit of climate 
justice, may we be inspired by 
Yisrael, wrestling with the Divine 
for personal growth, taking initia-
tive, centering embrace and stop-
ping nothing short of blessing. 
In so doing, may we honor the 
Divine creation of which we are 
all part. 

Rabbi Nate Degroot is the Hazon Detroit 

associate director and spiritual and pro-

gram director.

SPIRIT

Pursuing Climate Justice

TORAH PORTION

Rabbi Nate 

Degroot

Parshat 

Vayishlach: 

Genesis

32:4-36:43; 

Obediah

1:1-21.

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