Daf Yomi, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the circumstances under which Yaakov first encountered the angel, therefore explaining why the Gid Hanashe is prohibited on the right side (according to the opinion that it is only one side):
“Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says: The angel appeared to him as a gentile, as the Master said: A Jew who is joined by a gentile on the road and continues his travels with him should position the gentile to his right, close to one’s dominant hand. This allows the Jew to defend himself against any potential attack. Since Jacob followed this practice, it was therefore Jacob’s right thigh that the angel touched.”
“Rav Shmuel bar Aḥa said before Rav Pappa in the name of Rava bar Ulla that the angel appeared to Jacob as a Torah scholar, and therefore Jacob positioned the angel on his right side, as the Master said: One who walks to the right of his teacher is an ignoramus, in that he does not know how to act with good manners. Consequently, it was Jacob’s right thigh that the angel touched.”
Chasam Sofer on our Gemara comments that Yaakov alternately saw a gentile and a Torah sage because of Esav’s dual nature. The good Esav, who honored his father, manifested in one way, and the evil Esav manifested in another.
Yaakov won the battle, but why was he injured? It was the moral confusion. He couldn’t tell if this entity was a sinner or a saint. This is the challenge with the evil inclination (represented by the Gid Hanashe, Zohar, Bereishis 170b) — one cannot always tell who it really is. It may come at us looking like a friend, even a sage and teacher, but in the end be evil.
The Gid Hanashe is inedible and tasteless (Chulin 99b). This may be to show us that our temptations may sometimes appear benign and neutral. Yet, small decisions or seemingly insignificant character traits can have a big impact. Don’t underestimate your enemy.
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Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com