The name Yisroel means 'he who struggles with man and god, and prevails.' The name was given to Yaaqov on the eve of his returning to his twin, Esav, Yitzchoq's blessing, the one that placed Yaaqov above his brother in the inter-fraternal struggle between Israel and Edom.
The story of Yaaqov's stealing and then returning that blessing is the story of the nullification by Israel of the fable of racial superiority or inferiority. When the Mysterious Stranger blesses Yaaqov and gives him a nickname he is shifting the destiny of Yaaqov's descendants from coming of inborn, racial characteristics to what comes of struggle and strength of character.
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