The story of Yaakov’s wrestling match with the angel in Parshat Vayshlach reveals deep layers of spiritual meaning. The angel’s attempt to bring Yaakov down through “avak” — the dust of sadness and depression — failed due to Yaakov’s resilience, though the blow to his sciatic nerve symbolized future suffering for his descendants, including prophets, prophetesses, and the generation seeking to destroy the Jewish people. Midrashic interpretations connect this injury to three forms of Jewish suffering — financial, physical, and spiritual — and emphasize that Esav’s main attack targets the “legs,” representing both the end of Yaakov’s lineage and their proximity to the earth, a source of impurity. The prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve stems from this event, with Zoharic teachings highlighting its spiritual vulnerability. The human body’s 248 limbs and 365 sinews parallel the mitzvot, with the sciatic nerve linked to the evil force ruling Tisha B’Av, when consuming food or drink would feed the side of impurity. Tisha B’Av’s tragedies originate from the Jewish people’s needless crying in the desert, which led to the destruction of both Temples and continued exile. Wrongly placed sadness empowers negative forces, while joy preserves spiritual purity. Proper mourning is confined to specific occasions — such as Tisha B’Av or midnight lamentations — allowing sorrow to be meaningful and corrective, transforming past unwarranted grief into a channel for connection with Hashem and protection for future generations.
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