Parashat Vayechi
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==Yackov's Life in Egypt== | ==Yackov's Life in Egypt== | ||
− | Yackov lived in Egypt for 17 years | + | Yackov lived in Egypt for 17 years. These years were the most prosperous of his life, where he attained great levels in happiness and satisfactions. Despite the fact that he had spent years in the Holy Land, Yackov was only able to fully attain these levels in the impure Egypt, at the onset of the horrible Egyptian exile that was already beginning to manifest. The main completion of 'happiness' is not when a person manages to push aside bitterness and suffering but rather when he grabs this pain and transforms that itself into happiness. Using these methods Yackov caused great clarifications in the spiritual 'Chambers of Exchange', paving way for the Tikkunim of the later generations. During these years Yackov fully grasped how the 'final redemption' could only arrive once the Tzadikim descend to the lowest places and collect the elements of holiness from there. |
− | + | ==Yackov Binds Yosef by an Oath== | |
− | + | Yackov's prosperous years of life in Egypt draw to an end. Having reached age 147, Yackov fears he will soon pass away despite that his father Yitzchak had lived to be 180.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29">Rashi Berashis 47:29</ref> He calls Yosef, binding him by an oath to bury him in Mearos Hamachpala in Chevron along with his forefathers. Yosef had to be summoned since he always tried to avoid being alone with his father out of fear he would question him about the past and expose the story of his sale, causing Yackov to willingly curse his brothers. Yosef agrees and then upon Yackov's request, swears by his fathers Bris Milah . Yackov then bows to his son. | |
− | ==Yackov | + | |
− | Yackov's prosperous years of life in Egypt draw to an end. Having reached age 147, Yackov fears he will soon pass away despite that his father Yitzchak had lived to be 180.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29">Rashi Berashis 47:29</ref> He | + | |
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− | Yosef had to be summoned since he always tried to avoid being alone with his father out of fear he would question him about the past and expose the story of his sale, causing Yackov to willingly curse his brothers. | + | |
===Burial in Chevron=== | ===Burial in Chevron=== | ||
− | Yackov did not wish to be buried in Egypt so his tomb would not become an object of idolatrous worship. | + | Yackov did not wish to be buried in Egypt so his tomb would not become an object of idolatrous worship. Aside for the obvious issue with this, he was also aware that all idolatrous objects would be destroyed during the 'plague of the first born'. |
− | + | This would also allow him to be spared the suffering of Gilgul Mechilos during the time of Resurrection, where Jews buried in Diaspora must first roll through underground passages to Eretz Yisroel before being resurrected. He was also aware that during the future Ten Plagues that would afflict Egypt, all its top soil would turn to lice and Yackov did not wish to them crawl under his body.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 47:28"/> Additionally it would prevent Jews from hesitating to leave Egypt and saying it must contain some holiness if Yackov agreed to be buried there. Yackov had previously purchased the rights to the last remaining plot in Mearos Hamachpela from his brother Esav. | |
− | This would also allow him to be spared the suffering of Gilgul Mechilos | + | |
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===The Oath=== | ===The Oath=== | ||
Paraoh and the Egyptians had seen great blessing since Yackov arrived in Egypt, including the ending of the 'great famine' that was supposed to run for an additional five years. In a society run on meta physical forces they were very unlikely to give up a spiritual asset like Yackov's tomb. Yosef held the position of 'Second to King' giving him the power to fulfill Yackov's burial request<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29"/> and was therefore chosen over the other brothers. Later after blessing the other tribes, he commended them as well to fill out his burial request. | Paraoh and the Egyptians had seen great blessing since Yackov arrived in Egypt, including the ending of the 'great famine' that was supposed to run for an additional five years. In a society run on meta physical forces they were very unlikely to give up a spiritual asset like Yackov's tomb. Yosef held the position of 'Second to King' giving him the power to fulfill Yackov's burial request<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29"/> and was therefore chosen over the other brothers. Later after blessing the other tribes, he commended them as well to fill out his burial request. | ||
− | As traditional to hold an object of a Mitzvah to reinforce an oath at the time it is taken, Yosef placed his hand near his fathers Milah. Although the Avos practiced many of the Mitzvos, either in their final form, in other manifestations or at their root levels, Mila was the only physical Mitzvah which had officially been issued by Hashem to date. It was also a very cherished Mitzva for them as Tikun Habris yields the great power to take their decedents out of Gehinum and bring them to Olam Haba. | + | As traditional to hold an object of a Mitzvah to reinforce an oath at the time it is taken, Yosef placed his hand near his fathers Milah. Although the Avos practiced many of the Mitzvos, either in their final form, in other manifestations or at their root levels, Mila was the only physical Mitzvah which had officially been issued by Hashem to date. It was also a very cherished Mitzva for them as Tikun Habris yields the great power to take their decedents out of Gehinum and bring them to Olam Haba. |
===Chesed of Truth=== | ===Chesed of Truth=== | ||
− | Often people do kind acts calculating that in some form they will be repaid by the person. This does not apply to a dead person | + | Often people do kind acts calculating that in some form they will be repaid by the person. This does not apply to a dead person and any act of kindness done with him is called a 'chesed of truth'. Similarly some people honor their father out of fear or embarrassment, by carrying out Yackov's will Yosef would show all that he truthfully honored his father. |
===Yackov Bows=== | ===Yackov Bows=== | ||
− | Yackov | + | Yackov bows towards the head of his bed, the resting place of the Schina which tends to hover above the head of the ill, at the same time giving honor to Yosef. Although Yosef was his son, he held a position of royalty and was therefore given honor, just as the lion must bow to the fox when the hour allows him to have a position of power.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:31">Rashi Berashis 47:31</ref> In truth Yaakov was really bowing to Hashem thanking him that his offspring were perfect and none ended up wicked, as was evidenced by the fact that Yosef was a king and had been captured among the heathens, yet remained steadfast in his righteousness.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:31"/> |
==Blessing of Menashe and Ephraim== | ==Blessing of Menashe and Ephraim== | ||
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====Yeravam, Achav and Yehu==== | ====Yeravam, Achav and Yehu==== | ||
− | Yeravam, Achav and Yehu were more then black sheep in the family, hundreds of years later. Them and their descendants were personally responsible for causing the bulk of the Jewish Nation to commit horrible sins for periods lasting generations and for the eventual exile of the Ten tribes and their almost obliteration off the face of active participation in the spiritual history of the world. Their entire ability to lead and control the nation was through corrupting the powers of Yosef that were enchanted by the blessing. Yackov's refusal to bless was to prevent the very power he was giving over from later be misused. | + | Yeravam, Achav and Yehu were more then black sheep in the family, hundreds of years later. Them and their descendants were personally responsible for causing the bulk of the Jewish Nation to commit horrible sins for periods lasting generations and for the eventual exile of the Ten tribes and their almost obliteration off the face of active participation in the spiritual history of the world. Their entire ability to lead and control the nation was through corrupting the powers of Yosef that were enchanted by the blessing. Yackov's refusal to bless was to prevent the very power he was giving over from later be misused. |
====The Debate==== | ====The Debate==== | ||
− | There is a very hard spiritual service of trying to find the good points in each Jew despite their extreme wickedness. Even big Tzadikim such as [[Yeshayahu HaNavi|Yeshayahu]], Hoshea and Eliyahu had difficulty doing this properly in certain cases. When Yackov encountered the eminence wickedness of Achav and Yehu, his ability to find their good points became exhausted. Yosef then went ahead and expanded on the good points that were contained in these very sinners, showing how these elements alone would make them befitting of the blessing. | + | There is a very hard spiritual service of trying to find the good points in each Jew despite their extreme wickedness. Even big Tzadikim such as [[Yeshayahu HaNavi|Yeshayahu]], Hoshea and Eliyahu had difficulty doing this properly in certain cases. When Yackov encountered the eminence wickedness of Achav and Yehu, his ability to find their good points became exhausted. Yosef then went ahead and expanded on the good points that were contained in these very sinners, showing how these elements alone would make them befitting of the blessing. Display of his Ketuva reiterated; that as legal Jews it is impossible that they would not contain good points, despite their many sins. |
===Switching of the Hands=== | ===Switching of the Hands=== | ||
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==Yackov's Blessing of the Tribes== | ==Yackov's Blessing of the Tribes== | ||
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==Passing of Yackov== | ==Passing of Yackov== | ||
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==Passing of Yosef== | ==Passing of Yosef== | ||
− | At the time of his passing, Yosef instructed the Jews never to change their Hebrew names and adopt Egyptian names, | + | At the time of his passing, Yosef instructed the Jews never to change their Hebrew names and adopt Egyptian names, despite the fact that he himself was given the Egyptian name of Tzafnat Paneach. |
==References== | ==References== |