VOLUME 108 NUMBER 10
Teves 17, 5784
December 29, 2023
PARSHAS VAYECHI
Candlelighting Time 4:25 PM
The Talmud teaches us that Yaakov never died. Even though upon his ‘death’ he was embalmed, still the Talmud bases its conclusion upon a verse that clearly states that he did not die. Therefore, it is very puzzling when we read that the days of Yaakov were drawing close to their end and he was about to die. Since, indeed he did not expire, how can we explain the use of that terminology? In general, why is it so important that we must know that Yaakov is about to pass away? Of course, he gave a blessing to Yosef and his children. Is that the significance of this parsha?
Chasam Sofer provides a penetrating insight into the loss of the righteous of our generation. When someone of great stature passes away, we don’t just suffer a significant loss to our people, we actually sustain a level of death. Although each remaining individual in that generation is still technically alive, however our true essence, our soul and our virtual connection to Hashem do indeed undergo cessation of our actual existence. We may not perceive it in a physical sense, but would we be better linked to our ‘inner’ self, then the devastating effect of that demise would be clear and evident.
Therefore, when the Torah states that the days of Yisroel, Yaakov, were drawing to a close, the reference is not to Yaakov. Rather it is an allusion to us, the sons of Yisroel. We, the enduring remnants of our nation, we have died and require restitution. This may be what Rashi is hinting to in the beginning of the parsha. He cites from the Sages that when Yaakov died the enslavement and oppression began. However, we know that the actual bondage did not begin until all the sons died. Rashi seems to ignore that historical fact. However, perhaps we can understand that Rashi is explaining that Yaakov’s death placed the entire nation into a downward spiral that marked a new era. Our bastion of spiritual forte had now collapsed and the safeguard between our people and the inroads of assimilation from the Egyptian culture had disintegrated.
Perhaps now we can appreciate when the Torah states that Yaakov was about to die. Obviously, he did not remain on the earth in contact with others around him, but his personal existence did not cease, rather it continued in a different realm that we cannot perceive. It is beyond our physical sensory ability to recognize or identify with that lofty height, but it truly is a reality albeit away from our reach. The importance of this theme is twofold. Firstly, we must value those people that are of great stature and value our relationship with them. As an aside, receiving a blessing from them is certainly valuable, but additionally, to glean from them all that we can is vital and crucial.
Additionally, it behooves us to care for them and daven for their welfare since our very existence hinges upon their wellbeing. As we continue to travel through this exile awaiting redemption, when the guides of our generation are available to us, then our trip is that much more sustainable.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Ephraim was younger than his brother Menashe yet he received the blessing from their grandfather Yaakov first. The Torah refers to him as the ‘younger’ one which we already knew and therefore the Torah is stressing that his humility entitled him. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
THE FOLLOWING PARSHIOS DETAIL THE HARSH BONDAGE THAT OUR FOREBEARS SUFFERED IN EGYPT. EVENTUALLY THEY MERITED RESCUE FROM THEIR TRAGIC SITUATION. WE CONTINUE TO BESEECH HASHEM TO SAVE US FROM OUR DIFFICULTIES THAT ARE BESEIGING US DAILY AND EXTRICATE US FROM OUR DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
