"My" response was "loneliness". It is true there may be times that we would like to be alone, to be by ourselves, to be able to be contemplative and to meditate and to pray, which can be invigorating and inspiring.
However, loneliness is different. Loneliness creates a feeling of isolation, a feeling of standing alone and being disconnected from others.
Many times I hear from parents that they feel lonely when they do not hear from their children for many days on end.
Youngsters tell me they feel lonely when they are rejected by their peers and they often say, "No one wants to associate with me , they don't ask me to join with them during lunch time"
This loneliness can be Psychologically damaging to ones personality and outlook on life.
Loneliness and rejection can truly be devastating.
As I think of this dilemma, I begin to realize there is nothing more gratifying in life then to know you are surrounded by loved ones and loyal and sincere friends. In any struggle in life it is reassuring that there are others with you to help and encourage you as you travel on your life's byways.
How poignant is this idea as we read about Yaakov at a very crucial time in his life. The Torah states ויותר יעקב לבדו, "And Jacob was left alone".
Herein we read how Jacob wrestled with this mysterious being before he is to meet his brother Esau. At that moment, knowing he had a supportive family and was successful economically, he still felt a deep sense of loneliness.
I often see this expierence as a foreshadow of what is in store for the Jewish People in the future. Far too often we,as Jews, feel that we are לבדו, alone, to face the entire world as they, so often, rally against us. It is at that moment of our existence that I hear the words of Hashem to Yaakov, לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כי אם ישראל כי שרית עם אלוקים ועם אנשים ותוכל.
" No longer will it be said that your name is Jacob, but Israel for you have striven with the Divine and with man and have overcome".
From that moment on, the future of Am Yisrael changed. We are no longer to feel alone and isolated. Our struggles take on another dimension, for now we are more empowered to successfully meet our foes with inner strength and with outer strength.
These are times that the name Israel must come to the fore in our life's travel. It is a time to remove the feelings of loneliness and to realize that Hashem stands with us in all of our travails and with Him we will succeed in our life's endeavors and the world will, then, recognize, "We are no longer the Yaakovs of the world but we are now proudly called עם ישראל.
שבת שלום
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