The Torah tells a profound and enigmatic story, found in Parashat Vayishlach:

"Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail against him, he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him... Therefore, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hollow of the thigh, because the man touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, at the sinew of the thigh" (Genesis 32:25-33).

This narrative introduces a practice that endures to this day: Jews do not eat the gid hanasheh, the sciatic nerve, to remember the event that marked Jacob.

But why remember by refraining from eating? This is not a typical practice in our tradition. Usually, we commemorate significant events by consuming symbolic foods: matzah during Pesach recalls the Exodus from Egypt, fried foods and dairy during Chanukah celebrate the miracles that occurred. Yet, for this event, the Torah teaches us to refrain.

A Symbolic Battle

According to the Zohar, Jacob's night battle was not only physical but represented a spiritual struggle. The man Jacob wrestled with was, in fact, the angel of his brother Esau, a figure that embodies the inner challenges and negative inclinations that every person faces.