Bnei Yisrael get their name in this week’s parsha! It is the event of Yaakov fighting with the angel that Hashem changes Yaakov’s name to Yisrael and thereby, we are named The Children of Yisrael. What is so significant about this event in history that the name of the Jewish people is determined at this point in time? 

Let’s take a look at what is happening to Yaakov right now. He has been running away in fear from his older brother, Eisav. He is getting ready to meet and approach Eisav, who he has knowingly wronged, and he does not know how that encounter is going to go. Will his brother be appeased by the gifts he sent ahead, or will he try to kill him face to face?

 Yaakov is a man of struggle. Since we have met him, we have seen constant struggling. Firstly, at birth, he struggles with Eisav to see who will be born first. After that, we see that he goes out to take the birth right instead of Eisav. When he gets to Lavan’s house, he is struggling with Lavan and being deceived by Lavan numerous times. After he leaves Lavan’s house he is being pursued by Eisav. 
The encounter with the angel is the pinnacle of Yaakov’s struggles. It is a physical fight between good and evil that Yaakov overcame. And it was only after he was victorious over this struggle was, he blessed by the angel and given the name Yisrael.

This is the nature of the Jewish people. Throughout history, Jews have struggled with the forces surrounding them. However, after we overcome our struggles and stick to what is good and true, then we are Bnei Yisrael. After Yaakov struggled and emerged victorious over the angel, he was able to approach Eisav confidently. He had put his struggles away and stuck to only goodness and that prepared him for the meeting with Eisav.