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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