Click here to view/print in PDF Parsha Perspectives
By Ozer Alport
(וירא מנוחה כי טוב ואת הארץ כי נעמה ויט שכמו לסבול ויהי למס עובד (49:15
Prior to his death, Yaakov gathered together his 12 sons, who represented the 12 tribes from which all Jews would be descended, and gave each of them a blessing which was uniquely suited for his specific role within the Jewish nation. In blessing his son Yissachar, whose descendants are traditionally associated with the study of Torah, Yaakov noted that “he saw that peaceful serenity is good and that the land was enjoyable, and he bent his shoulder to bear a heavy load.” Rav Yerucham Levovitz, the great Mashgiach (spiritual supervisor) of the Mir yeshiva in Europe, points out an apparent contradiction in the verse. It begins by referring to the comfortable life of tranquility and the pleasant land enjoyed by the tribe of Yissachar, which we can easily relate to and envision. However, just as we begin dreaming about the tropical pleasures that Yissachar must have had, Yaakov then describes his life of tranquility as one in which he bent his shoulder to work hard and carry a weighty burden. This hardly matches the mental images we conjure up as associated with Yissachar’s lot.
During World War II, all of European Jewry was under attack and in shambles. Even those who managed to hide or escape lived daily with the fear that their family members were unaccounted for. In the midst of all of this unprecedented destruction and uncertainty, the students of the Mir yeshiva stuck together and fled across Russia to Japan, China, and ultimately to freedom in the United States.
During one stage of their flight, they were on a boat in choppy waters. Many of those on the boat wondered if they would ever reach their destination. Meanwhile, the illustrious Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, was oblivious to the situation around him as he was completely absorbed in the study of a difficult book, Shev Shmaitsa. Somebody approached him for guidance and comfort, asking “Where are we holding?” As he was referring to the plight of the boat, he was quite taken aback when Rav Chaim, completely engrossed in his studies, took it as a question about the book and innocently responded, “Shmaitsa Gimel (Chapter 3)”
Rav Yerucham explains that Yaakov was teaching us that the true definition of peace and tranquility is the exact opposite of what people are accustomed to thinking. The general attitude is that true calm and serenity can only be found on a quiet beach, curled up with a good book and a martini, with nobody around to disturb us (not even our Blackberries).
While this is indeed a pleasant and appealing image, it restricts our inner state and makes us dependent on factors beyond our control, implying that if we are unable to be in the situation and circumstances that we would ideally prefer, then inner bliss is unfortunately unattainable. After a bit of reflection, we realize that this could hardly be the meaning of true inner tranquility and satisfaction.
The Torah comes to teach us that our mission in this world is to rise above whatever situations life may throw our way, not to focus outward but inward. If we carry within ourselves an untouchable reserve of inner joy and serenity, then we will be able to remain happy and calm throughout life’s journeys and tests which are all beyond our control. By blessing Yissachar and his descendants to carry within themselves the yoke of studying Torah and doing mitzvos, Yaakov was revealing to them – and to us – the key to true simchas ha’chayim (happiness and peace). return to top
Ozer Alpert can be reached at ozer@partnersintorah.org
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talking points - parshas Vayechi
Rabbi Elazar Meisels
1. Who Will Raise Our Children?
“And Yaakov saw Yosef’s sons and he asked, ‘whose [children] are these?’ And Yosef responded, ‘these are my children whom God has granted me…” - 48:8,9 o
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It’s not possible that Yaakov who had moved to Egypt many years earlier still did not recognize Yosef’s children. Rather, he wondered whether their mother who was born to an Egyptian mother was truly Jewish. Yosef responded by producing the documents that proved that she had converted properly and the children were authentic Jews. – Chiddushei HaGriz Al HaTorah - Ed. Note: Perhaps this was necessary because he was preparing to incorporate them into the Twelve Tribes and therefore felt it necessary to ascertain their Jewish status beyond a shadow of a doubt.
In addition to pondering their Jewish status, Yaakov wondered how Yosef accomplished the impossible: raising loyal Jewish children in such a foreign environment? “Whose children are these?” he inquired? To this, Yosef responded by saying that his success lay in the fact that they were his children. All his power and royal duties notwithstanding, he never abrogated his child-raising responsibilities. Contrary to the customary manner of royal families who rarely invest much time in their children, Yosef insisted on raising his children himself and true to his values and therefore succeeded in inculcating within them authentic Jewish values.
2. Moshiach: A Foundation of Judaism
“And Yaakov called to his children and he said ‘gather round and I will reveal to you that which will occur to you in the End of Days’” 46-1
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He desired to reveal to them the [secret of the] Messianic Era but the Divine Presence [suddenly] left him and he began to discuss other matters – Rashi
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The “End of Days” refers to the Messianic Era… - Ramban
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“I know with perfect certainty that Moshiach will arrive. How long it takes, I will await His coming every day...” – Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith.
Even before the Jewish nation was born, knowledge of an eventual Moshiach existed. Yaakov was about to delineate the unique roles each of the brothers would occupy in the Jewish nation, but he began by establishing for them that all of their efforts were for the purpose of leading up to a Messianic Era. To deny this, or to give up hope of his arrival, is tantamount to undermining the very foundation of the Jewish nation.
3. Torah: The Hardest Job Of Them All
“Yissachar is a strong-boned donkey crouching between the boundaries.” 49:14
- A strong-boned donkey: he carries the yoke of the Torah like a strong donkey loaded with a heavy load. Crouching between the borders: Like a donkey that travels day and night and has nowhere to rest indoors so that when it wishes to rest it crouches between the borders of the cities to where it is carrying merchandise. Rashi
- A mule and his pack are bound together as one. Similarly a Torah scholar is inseparable from his load. Kli Yakar
- “Rabbi Yosi said: ‘Inspire yourself to study Torah for it is not an [automatic] inheritance for you’” Avos 2:12
- “Mankind was created to toil…” Iyov 5:7
Torah is accessible to all but everyone must toil to acquire it. The poorest and wealthiest of Jews must all apply themselves diligently to attain the knowledge of Torah and no one can do the work for you. It is ironic that the most glorious profession in Judaism is compared to a strong-boned donkey. True glory is not reserved for the lottery winner or one who engages in temporal investments. It is reserved for those who focus on the essence of life: Torah study. return to top
Rabbi Elazar Meisels can be reached at rabbimeisels@partnersintorah.org
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Parshas Vayechi
When Yaakov feels death approaching, he summons his son Yosef and asks that he promise to bury him not in Egypt but rather with his forefathers in Meoras Hamachpela. Yosef brings his two children, Menashe and Ephraim, to Yaakov for his blessing. Yaakov gives them equal status with his own sons, promising them that they too will be heads of individual tribes. He also explains to Yosef why he had to bury Rochel near the road to Bais Lechem. He blesses Yosef’s sons, intentionally giving precedence to Ephraim, the younger, over Menashe, the elder. He also comforts Yosef, telling him that Hashem will eventually return the entire family to the land of their forefathers. Yaakov calls all his sons together to tell them what will happen to them in the future. He blesses each one, revealing the essential qualities of each son, even rebuking some of them for traits of character which must be trained. He stresses again his wish to be buried in Meoras Hamachpela together with his parents, grandparents, and his wife Leah. Yaakov passes away, at the age of 147 years. Yaakov is mourned by Egypt for 70 days. Yosef requests that Pharaoh’s servants intercede for him with Pharaoh to secure permission for him to bury his father in Canaan as he swore to do. Pharaoh agrees. A great cortege including all of Yosef’s brothers and dignitaries of Egypt, together with many chariots and horsemen, escorts Yaakov to his resting place. Seven days of mourning are observed en route. On the entire trip, only Yaakov’s sons carry their father’s body. The brothers all return to Egypt. They now fear that Yosef will take revenge on them. Yosef tells them that all which they have done has been destined by Hashem to keep the family alive. Yosef sees grandchildren and great-grandchildren of his own. Just before his death, he assures his eleven brothers that Hashem promised to redeem them from Egypt and give them the land which He promised to Avrohom, Yitzchok, and Yaakov. He asks them to instruct their children that they take his remains along to Eretz Yisroel when that day comes. Yosef dies at 110 years of age and is buried in Egypt. return to top
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Amazing Insights About the Weekly Parsha
By Ozer Alport
Q: Why is our Parsha known as Vayechi, which means “and he (Yaakov) lived” when it contains Yaakov’s death, and why is an earlier Parsha known as Chayei Sorah (“the life of Sorah”) when it begins with her death?
A: The Oznaim L’Torah, by Rav Zalman Sorotzkin, answers that this was intentionally done in order to hint and teach that the true life for which we were created isn’t the physical life we live in this world, but rather the spiritual one we will enjoy in the World to Come. Therefore, the portions in which Yaakov and Sorah died a physical death actually correspond to the real beginning of their lives!
Q: In relating that the time approached for Yaakov to die, the Torah states (47:29) that the days of his dying approached, whereas his father Yitzchok referred (27:2) to the day of his death. Why does the Torah refer to the days in the plural when there was only one day on which he actually died?
A: The Tosefes Brocha suggests that this hints to the statement of the Gemora in Bava Metzia (87a) that until Yaakov people died suddenly without any illness or other warning. Yaakov prayed to Hashem to get sick before his death in order to have time to prepare for death by putting his affairs in order and repenting. Therefore, regarding Yitzchok it only made sense to discuss the day of his death, as the days prior gave no indication of what lie ahead and were totally unconnected. Yaakov, on the other hand, became sick some time before passing away, which hinted to him that his time was coming and he should begin to put his spiritual affairs in order, so the Torah refers to the days of his dying. return to top
Ozer Alport can be reached at ozer@partnersintorah.org
Table Talk: For discussion around the Shabbos Table
If you or your guests come up with an original answer, please forward it to parsha@partnersintorah.org
1) Prior to his death, Yacov gave a unique blessing to each of his 12 sons, who were the founding fathers of the 12 tribes of Israel. His blessings described the future role each of them would play within the Jewish nation, but they were not limited only to his sons. Rather, they were applicable to all of their future descendants. How can a person declare before a child is born what his talents and mission will be, and how can we reconcile this concept with the fundamental Jewish belief that a person has free choice regarding his actions and life decisions?
2) Although Yacov realized there was ill-will generated by favoring Yoseph over his brothers...in this week's parsha he insisted upon using his right hand (symbolizing strength and greatness) to bless Yoseph's younger son Ephraim, while using his weaker left hand to bless the older son Menashe. What lessons may be gleaned from here about giving differential treatment to one's children? return to top
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