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34 November 30 • 2017 jn N o longer shall your name be called Jacob; rather, Israel shall be your name. For you have struggled with the Divine and with men, and you have prevailed." (Genesis 32:29). The theme of changing names occurs multiple times in vari- ous Torah stories. Abram becomes Abraham. Sarai becomes Sarah. Later in history, Hoshea become Yehoshua, to name just a few. From your knowledge of these foundational Torah stories, can you point out any difference between the name change in this week's Torah portion and the others? In the other examples, once the new name was given, the old name is never used again. In fact, the Talmud goes so far as to say that whoever calls Abraham "Abram" after his name was changed violates a prohibition of the Torah. However, in this week's portion, both names, Jacob and Yisrael, are used interchangeably throughout the rest of the Torah. In contrast to the other name changes, while the names Jacob and Yisrael have different meanings, they both represent different co-existing aspects of the Jewish people. Jacob comes from the word eikev, or heel, the part of the body that is stepped on. The name represents the times in our lives that we feel stepped upon, much like the Jew in exile that can barely make it through another day yet miraculously lives to raise his head again. The name Yisrael comes from the word "prince" or "victor," represent- ing the Jews that recognize their inner strength and incredible impact on the world. There are elements of Jacob and Yisrael within every Jew, and from these characteristics we have drawn strength and vitality throughout our miraculous history. As I complete the words of this d'var Torah, I sit in the company of 4,500 colleagues, friends and mentors, fellow Chabad emissaries who, together with their families, devote their lives to the mis- sion of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe that no Jew be left behind. Represented here are 2,500 communities from 100 countries that hold their banner high as they recognize and uncover the Yisroel impact of their Jewish pride and strength. How appropriate that we learn this lesson as we approach the holiday of Chanukah, when we place lighted menorahs in our windows to send a collective message to the world that a little light can dispel a lot of darkness. Have you ever been to a public menorah lighting? In Detroit or else- where? Wherever you will be this Chanukah, make it a point to join your community as we celebrate our combined strength in the spirit of Jacob's new name — Israel. Make plans to attend a menorah lighting with your friends and neighbors. If you will be in Metro Detroit, join us on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 5:30 p.m. for Menorah in the D, the seventh annual Detroit menorah lighting in Campus Martius Park. Together we have the strength to spread some much needed light throughout our community and our world. • Kasriel Shemtov is spiritual director of The Shul in West Bloomfield. Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov What Is In A Name? spirit torah portion Parshat Vayishlach: Genesis 32:4-36:43; Obadiah 1:1-21. 000000 It's Hard To Stop A Trane. FURNACE TUNE-UP AND SAFETY CHECK t )FBU&YDIBOHF&YBNJOBUJPO t $POUSPMT5FTUFE t .PUPS0JMFE$IFDLFE $ 79 OR Get a Yearly Maintenance Agreement $ 15/mo. SAVE UP TO 30% ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS! t 'JMUFS$IFDL t )VNJEJåFS$IFDL t 5IFSNPTUBU$IFDL for as low as NEW CUSTOMER SPECIAL $ 25 OFF Any Service Call with Repair Steven Bez Co-Owner Laurie Sherman Comfort Specialist $ 500 off Select Trane Equipment e p i p h a n y s t u d i o s + A p r i l W a g n e r p r e s e n t 2 0 1 7 H O L I D A Y S H O W Portion of the proceeds donated to the Michigan Humane Society epiphanyglass.com Call 248.745.3786 for Info 770 Orchard Lake Rd Pontiac, MI 48341 FRI., DEC. 1ST, 4-8 PM SAT., DEC. 2ND, 12-6 PM SUN., DEC. 3RD, 12-6 PM Free, public event with live glassblowing demonstrations One-of-a-Kind Sculptures + Gifts 000000