Jacob runs away from conflict with his brother Esau and heads for the City of Haran. That night, Torah says, va hashemesh: the sun sets (Gen 28:11). Twenty years later, Jacob leaves Haran, reconciles with his brother, and wrestles with a mysterious stranger. The next morning, vayizrach lo hashemesh, the sun shines for him (Gen 32:32). Thus, the sun sets on Jacob’s life as he enters Haran and rises when he leaves.

Jacob spends a long metaphorical night in Haran! There, Jacob enters into an arranged marriage and a marriage of love, fathering twelve children. First, he works as an indentured apprentice. Then, he becomes a master sheep-breeder. Finally, he amasses enough wealth to support his large family. And then, with the support of both his wives, he leaves his father-in-law’s household.

These are the most productive years of Jacob’s life. How could Torah describe them as Jacob’s night? One answer is found in Richard Rohr’s concept of the two halves of life. In the first half, we learn to succeed at adult tasks. In the second half, we develop inner spiritual resources. Jacob succeeds brilliantly at first-half-of-life tasks. But the shadow of his conflict with Esau hangs over him, waiting to be healed. It calls him into second-half-of-life tasks. But Jacob cannot access his inner resources. Night comes to an end only when he wrestles with someone who has been a stranger to him. Who is the stranger? Torah suggests it is his brother, his guardian angel, and his deeper self.

The prophet Hosea teaches about developing inner spiritual resources (11:7-12:12). Don’t seek the answer in material things, he says. Let every part of yourself be open to God’s call: from your inner lion to your inner dove. Have compassion on yourself. Your sun will rise, as surely as day follows night.

For more reflections on Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), click here.