Weekly Reading Insights: VaYechi 5764

 

 

Overview of the Weekly Reading: Vayechi

To be read on 16 Tevet 5764 (Jan.10 )

Vayechi is the 12th Reading out of 12 in Genesis and 12th overall, and 44th out of 54 in overall length.
Torah Reading: Genesis 47:28-50:26;  Haftorah: Kings I 2:1-12 (David's deathbed words)
Pirkei Avot: not till after Passover

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26): Yaacov realized that he would soon die, so he asked Yosef to swear that he would bury him with Yitzchak and Avraham in Machpeleh Cave in Hevron. Yaacov blessed Yosef's sons, Efraim and Menashe, and told Yosef that the city Shechem would be his eternal inheritance. Yaacov prophetically blessed each of his 12 sons in turn. After he died and the mourning period, Yosef got Pharaoh's permission to leave Egypt to bury his father in Israel. An entourage of Yaacov's family and Pharaoh's courtiers went to Israel with Yaacov's coffin. After returning to Egypt, the brothers worried that Yosef might still hold a grudge against then for having sold him. Yosef assured them that what occurred was Divine Providence and for the best, and promised to fully sustain them and their families. Yosef lived long and saw his great grandchildren. He made his offspring swear to take his remains out of Egypt when they would eventually return to Israel. "Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek!"


FROM THE MASTERS OF KABBALA (K:12-64/Vayechi )

From the holy Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Z:12-64/Vayechi )

Rabbi Yossi said that the Shechina doesn't dwell on any place that is not complete, or in a place that is blemished, or in a place that is sad.

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline site.

* * * * *

From the holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed (A:12-64/Vayechi )

The Nefesh is indicated by the name "Yaakov" written without the vav. The Ruach is indicated by the name "Yaakov" written with the vav. The Neshama is indicated by the name "Yisrael".

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline site.

* * * * *

From the Shelah, Shney Luchot HaBrit by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz (S:12-64/Vayechi )

Jacob, by dint of having achieved a degree of tikun, spiritual repair work, after the damage caused to the universe by Adam, is perceived as putting on tefillin in the celestial regions, i.e. "wearing" tiferet.

For the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline site.


FROM THE CHASSIDIC REBBES (V:12-64/Vayechi)


"Which I took out of the hand of the Emorite with my sword and with my bow." (48:22)

As Rashi notes, the sword and bow Jacob was referring to were his "wisdom" and "prayer," for allegorically, the Emorite is identified with the Evil Inclination. This battle takes place in every Jew's soul. The Emorite, from the Hebrew word meaning speech, becomes powerful when we speak inappropriately or entertain extraneous thoughts. The way to conquer him is with "wisdom" and "prayer," uttering words of Torah and praying to G-d.
(Torah Ohr)

"When he saw that the resting place was good...he bent his shoulder to bear."
(49:15)
Issachar recognized that although leisure is a good and pleasant thing, it can also be dangerous. In times of peace and tranquility the Evil Inclination intensifies its efforts to lead a person astray, which can lead to disaster. Issachar therefore "bent his shoulder to bear" the yoke of Torah, for Torah study is the antidote to this pitfall.
(Likutei Diburim)


A MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE

from the Chabad Master series, produced by Rabbi Yosef Marcus for

www.ascentofsafed.com and www.kabbalaonline.org


An essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent

(for a free weekly email subscription, click here) (W:12-64/Vayechi )

Vayechi is the conclusion and seal of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Torah. Genesis is also called "Sefer Hayashar", "Book of the Upright". This part of the Torah is primarily about our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were called "upright". Since the "activities of the forefathers are an indication for the children", the Book of Genesis, and especially its concluding sections, is an eternal guide for every member of the Jewish people.

It is fitting, therefore, that the portion opens with the words "And Jacob lived" (Gen. 48:28) which can be also translated as "And Jacob is alive". Jacob, called "the choicest of our forefathers", is the conduit for spiritual strength that we can always draw upon. This is why the content of the parasha is focused on the blessings that Jacob gave to his descendants - a blessing is a transfer of energy.

This is what the Rabbis meant when they wrote in the Talmud, "Jacob did not die!" - "If his offspring are alive then he is alive" (Taanit 5b). Jacob is alive in us as long as we, his children are studying and keeping the Torah and thereby drawing his strength into us. We poignantly see this when Joseph brought his sons, Ephraim and Menashe, to be blessed by Jacob (Gen. 48:8-9). Menashe and Ephraim were born and raised in Egypt and are thus the first of Jacob's descendants to grow up without his direct involvement. Only when Jacob moved to Egypt did Ephraim and Menashe have the opportunity to learn from him. Nevertheless, when it came time to bless these same grandsons, we may be puzzled by Jacob's question, "Who are these?" (Gen. 48:8) Jacob meant if these children were raised in Egypt, not in his own home, how can they be fit for a blessing? Joseph answered, "They are my children" (Ibid. 48:9). In other words, "What I learned from you growing up in your home, I have passed on to them". This was the answer that Jacob desired, and he blessed Joseph's sons.

The above applies to each of us as we continue the chain of Jewish life. Each of us wants to create the kind of home where positive influences are so vital, they are kept alive in each succeeding generation.

In the middle of the parasha, Jacob prepares to bless his twelve sons. Just before he does, he says something incredibly dramatic: "Join together and I will tell you what will happen at the end of days" (Gen. 49:1). The Shelah writes that in order for Jacob to reveal the date of Mashiach to his children, he instructed them, "Join together", because it is impossible for the reality of the days of Mashiach to come about while there is unwarranted hatred. Jacob focused on this because it pointed to a specific negative trait that he saw in his children - that of slanderous speech, expressed in all of the arguments that they had between them.

Just as the first exile happened because of the arguments between Joseph and his brothers, so also the destruction of the Holy Temple as well as this final exile came about through unwarranted hatred among Jews. The only way to prepare ourselves for the redemption is to train ourselves to love fellow-Jews.

Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, the first Satmar Rebbe, said in the name of Elijah the prophet that Mashiach can't come until every peruta (the smallest denomination of coin) is gone from the pocket. Simply read, it means when there will be no money left, or that we have given all our resources away for tzedaka. But he explained it: Mashiach can't come until all "pratiut" (literally "private concern", a play on words with "peruta") - every self-indulgent detail that a person worries about for himself rather than worrying about his fellow man, is dispensed with. When each of us will have concern for our neighbor like we have for ourselves, this will unite us, and we will merit the arrival of Mashiach.

When Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, he reversed his hands, putting his right on the younger son, Ephraim, and his left on the older, Menashe. When Joseph intervened, second-guessing his father's actions, Jacob countered by saying, "I know...He will also be a nation...but his younger brother will be greater" (Gen. 48:19). The Noam Elimelech writes that Jacob wished to teach us proper behavior even with a youngster. Jacob could have rearranged the boys but instead switched his hands so not to embarrass Menashe. Good to keep in mind!

This week is also called "Shabbat Chazak", one of the four Shabbats when we complete one of the books of the Torah (the fifth and final book is completed on Simchat Torah). On each of these Shabbats, the entire congregation rises and together calls out, "Chazak Chazak V'nitchazaik" - "Strength! Strength! Let us strengthen ourselves!" Just as we have completed one of the books of the Torah, G-d will help us be strong and complete all of the loose ends of our lives, physically and spiritually.


Shabbat Shalom, Shaul Leiter

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