“Then he (Eish/figure) said: Let me go, for dawn has come up! But he (Jacob) said: “I will not let you go unless you bless me. “ (Fox) —Va-Yishlach 32:27
In this painting, the light of dawn is the signal that Jacob’s all night struggle with this “Eish or person” must end. Jacob demands a blessing before he will let go.
We’ve been through a lot with Jacob by this time. We’ve seen how he deals with fortune and misfortune. His fears and heart, as well as his craft and cunning. At night, however, the force of Jacob’s personality is laid aside – he can’t make things happen the same way as during the day.
He has prepared for battle, if necessary, with his brother. But instead, the battle takes place at night with this mysterious “Eish- man.” He is between worlds: not asleep, not in day. He is subject to the rules of darkness, but also has agency. He can’t overcome the “Eish”, but he can hold on. He makes a demand for a blessing and receives it.
Many of us wrestle with our past, with the present, and with the Mystery. If it is time to let go, let’s enter that ‘between space’ – whether it’s meditation, movement or a walk with Mystery within ourselves and ask for a blessing.
Etja Ruth is an artist whose work bridges art and healing, exploring the places where image, movement, and voice reveal the unseen. Learn more about her Bereshit/Genesis paintings here.
