The Greatest Responsibility1 min read

“And Yaakov was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”

Commenting on this verse, the Midrash brings a pasuk in Yeshayahu (2:11), describing the sovereignty of Hashem in the times of Moshiach, “V’nisgav Hashem l’vado”, “And Hashem will be exalted, alone.” On a simple level, the connection between these verses seems to be that they both contain the word “livado” – alone. But what do Chazal mean to communicate in making the unlikely comparison to Yaakov’s vulnerable loneliness in the dark of night and Hashem’s singularly glorious reign at the end of time?

The Degel Machaneh Ephraim answers with the following. While we are all familiar with the teaching of Chazal that each Jew must say, “The whole world was created for me”, the implication of this notion is often lost on us. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov explains that, far from an egotistical declaration, this statement represents an acceptance of ultimate responsibility; “if this world was created for me, it is my obligation to seek out – at all times – the brokenness of the world, to fix the world, to fill its lacks, and to pray for all of creation.” (Likutei Moharan 4). The moment one recognizes that the troubles of other people, even strangers, are his or her responsibility, one will feel compelled to take action – to do all one’s ability to fix the world and to pray for the ultimate redemption.

This, explains the Degel, is the meaning of the Midrash. “Vayevaseir Yaakov levado”: The more that a Jew realizes that the darkness of the world was created for him alone to fix, “Venisgav Hashem levado”: the more Hashem’s Name will be exalted in solitary greatness, shining the healing light of dawn upon all of creation.