STOP RUNING

  While watching the New York marathon last week I realize, more than ever, that there is a running  boom in this country. After the marathon I read an editorial which stated : "Inside every one of us is a distant runner."
 This made me think that there are many runners who do so, to make them more physically fit to face life. However, I sense there are many that are running in an effort to evade life,  to escape from its burdens, to get away from it all. So many run from unpleasant duties, and from life's complexities and confusions. They would rather run, then face up to their responsibilities and to meet the challenges of life head on.  For them, life is never a fulfillment of effecting changes within themselves. For many a change of scenery is preferred over a change of soul.  
 As we study these Parshiot about our Patriach Yaakov, we read that the  word ויברח and ברח , are used, constantly, describing his way of life. He seems to be  always running  away from someone or something. 
  This comes to the fore, especially, when Yaakov wrestles with an unnamed adversary, alone, at night. Many question with whom was he wrestling, a man or a Malach? Whoever it was, the main point of the story seems to take place, at the end of the incident. There, the Torah relates, how the Angel could not get the best  of Yaakov and to prevent  him from escaping , ויגע בכף ירכו, he grabbed his side causing a displacement of his hip, preventing him from running away. 
 As I contemplated this entire episode in the life of Yaakov, I began to think, in a more symbolic way, and I realized that the whole incident was an important message for Yaakov to contemplate. The Angel was, in essence, saying to Yaakov, "You are running away too much from your responsibilities as the patriarch of the Jewish People, and now is the time to stand your ground as you face your brother Esau." To emphasize this to Jacob, the Angel grabbed and dislocated his hip, and by this action was in essence saying, "Since you are not stopping to run on your own, I will take the initiative and  cause you to stop running and this will be your lesson of life for you and future generations."
  As Jews, we have been running for generations.  It is time to stop running away from our responsibilities, and not to permit others with their venom and hatred for the Jew and the State of Israel, to dictate how we are to live. Our survival, today, must be returned into our hands and not to live by the will of others. These are times to stop running and to gloriously bask in the sunshine of our Judaic way of life, where decisions are ours to make. 
  Dag Hammarekjold, said it well, "Life demands from you only the strength you posses and only one feat is possible- not to have run away."
 This is our lesson for the day and more so must be the directive for our children and for all future generations. 
  We are to tell the world that we will not to be the "Jonahs of Life," continuously running. As we  abide by the edict - not to  eat the גיד הנשה, it will be our  constant reminder that our life is not a marathon, but a life of commitment and a dedication to the perpetuation that עם ישראל חי.  With  Hashem's guidance and with our acceptance of Yaakov's new name ,לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כי אם ישראל כי שרית עם אלוקים ועם אנשים ותוכל will be fulfilled when we stop running, and stand our ground, proudly, thereby shining resplendent in the eyes of the world. 
May this day come quickly to all of us.