Word: ותוכל: vatukhal “And you have prevailed (Genesis 32:29).”
Context: After Yaakov struggles with the angel all night, the angel blesses him, saying: “Your name shall no longer be Yaakov, but Yisrael, for you have striven [sarita] with beings divine and human, and have prevailed [vatukhal].”
Root: יכל, to be able
Interpretation: you have shown yourself able, you are capable of handling anything.
Message: We think who we are is Yaakov — secondary, insecure, heel-grabbers, always trying to catch up to someone else; we run away from our problems for years, or we approach them from behind, not feeling confident enough to face them head-on. But every once in a while we catch a glimpse of our larger Yisrael selves — princely (sar), divinely gifted (el), and able to stand up straight and face our challenges directly (yashar).
Every once in a while we feel the surge of vatukhal flowing through us — you are capable — and we know that, with God’s help, we have the confidence, the strength, the resilience, to face anything. Vatukhal — you are capable. Go out and conquer the world. Let your light shine. Stand up for yourself; be strong; face your challenges; live to your fullest potential. You can do it!
