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וירא מנוחה כי טוב... ויט שכמו לסבול

Sruly Schnair
In 5783, Vayechi

He saw tranquility that it was good… Yet he bent his shoulder to bear. (49:15)

We have before us a paradox concerning Yissachar, the symbol of the ben Torah, who devoted his life to Torah study and spiritual pursuits. If he sees that tranquility is good, why does he bend his shoulder to bear? Why should he toil if he has an easier way? Horav Moshe Shternbuch, Shlita, explains that the Torah is lauding Yissachar’s devotion in that he remains committed, despite the easy way out – tranquility. Torah is so valuable to him that he would rather toil in Torah than relax. All the worldly pleasures which avail themselves to him do not stand…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5783

ויברכם... בך יברך ישראל לאמר ישמך אלקים כאפרים וכמנשה

Sruly Schnair
In 5783, Vayechi

So he blessed them… saying, “By you shall Yisrael bless saying, ‘May G-d make you like Ephraim and like Menashe.’” (48:20)

Yaakov Avinu blessed his grandsons with what has become the standard of blessing. Horav Yechezkel, zl, m’Kuzmir, notes that the word becha, by you, is singular, as if the speaker is addressing one person, which is not the case. Both Menashe and Ephraim were present during this blessing; thus, bach refers to both of them. The Kuzmirer explains that bach alludes to complete unity in which two individuals – in this instance, Menashe and Ephraim – who are unified in complete harmony as one person. Only when perfect amity prevails can brachah, blessing, radiate to Klal Yisrael. When Yosef presented…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5783

וימאן אביו ויאמר ידעתי בני ידעתי

Sruly Schnair
In 5783, Vayechi

But his father refused, saying, “I Know, my son, I know.” (48:19)

Yosef made a move to show his father that Menashe was his older son; thus, he warranted the blessing on the right/stronger side. One would have expected Yaakov Avinu to simply inform him that Ephraim will ultimately be the greater of the two. Why does he preface his response with Yadaati, b’ni, yadaati? Horav Yisrael Aharon Kupshitz, Shlita (Torah Ohr, quoted by Horav Eliezer Turk, Shlita), comments that the Torah is teaching us an important principle with regard to our seeking advice from a gadol, Torah giant. We must never forget that the reason he is where he is, and…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5783

ויאמר קחם נא אלי ואברכם

Sruly Schnair
In 5783, Vayechi

Bring them to me, if you please, and I will bless them. (48:9)

Yosef brought his two sons to his father, Yaakov Avinu, for a blessing, as the Patriarch had instructed him. Is this not why Yosef brought them? He did not want a long-distance blessing. What was Yaakov intimating when he said, “Bring them to me”? Yaakov was alluding that not only was his blessing of great significance, but it was also important for his grandsons to see him up close, to sear into their minds his visage and bearing. When Yerushalayim was under siege by the Roman army, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai met with Vespasian, the Roman commander and chief. He…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5782

ואתם חשבתם עלי רעה אלקים חשבה לטובה... וינחם אותם וידבר על לבם

Sruly Schnair
In 5782, Vayechi

Although you intended me harm, G-d intended it for good … Thus he comforted them and spoke to their heart. (50:20,21)

Sefer Bereishis ends on a note of consolation, as Yosef intimates to his brothers that they had all been part of a larger Divine Plan. It began with the creation of the world, followed by: the sin of Adam HaRishon; the Great Flood; the Dispersal; Avraham Avinu and Akeidas Yitzchak, the birth of the prodigal twins, Yaakov and Eisav; the twelve Shevatim, tribes, and their role in the mechiras, sale, of Yosef. It concluded with Yosef, who was the subject of much suffering, forgiving and comforting his brothers. In this episode, the individuals were neither winners nor losers, just Shivtei…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5782

האספו ואגידה לכם את אשר יקרא אתכם באחרית הימים

Sruly Schnair
In 5782, Vayechi

Assemble yourselves, and I will tell you what will happen in the end of days. (49:1)

The Midrash explains that Yaakov Avinu wished to tell his children when Moshiach would come with the hope that the pre-knowledge of an end to the troubles of galus, exile, would, in and of itself, be a source of comfort. Hashem, however, prevented him from making this revelation. Klal Yisrael does not receive solace from deadlines, but rather, from faith and carrying out Hashem’s mitzvos. Veritably, by our actions, we extend the galus. If we would only wake up from our spiritual slumber and realize that Hashem wants to bring about the exile’s end, but we must deserve it. The…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5782

ויקרבו ימי ישראל למות

Sruly Schnair
In 5782, Vayechi

And the days of the death of Yisrael drew near. (47:29)

A well-known secular quote caught my attention. “When your life flashes before your eyes, make sure it is worth watching” (There are variations to this quote.) A life review, or experiencing a rapid image of one’s life history, is a phenomenon that can occur when one experiences a serious trauma, especially if it is life-threatening. The image, however, has merit – especially in light of the following exposition from Horav Shlomo Wolbe, zl (Alei Shur). The Torah describes Yaakov Avinu’s petirah, passing, in an unusual manner: “And the days of the death drew near.” A person dies on one specific…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5782

ועשית עמדי חסד ואמת אל נא תקברני במצרים

Sruly Schnair
In 5782, Vayechi

And do kindness and truth with me; please do not bury me in Egypt. (47:29)

Rashi comments that the kindness we demonstrate to the deceased is the true kindness of truth – chesed shel emes, purely altruistic, because the beneficiary will never be able to return the favor. The Maggid, zl, m’Dubno explains that when one performs chesed, an act of lovingkindness, for his fellow men, he does not know for certain that his act of chesed is truly a favor for the intended. For some (for example), giving them material support could actually harm them in the long run. With regard to the deceased, however, we have no question that the chesed is undoubtedly…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5781

אל תיראו כי התחת אלקים אני ואתם חשבתם עלי רעה אלקים חשבה לטובה

Sruly Schnair
In 5781, Vayechi

“Fear not, for am I instead of G-d? Although you intended the harm, G-d intended it for good. (50:19,20)

In the last few parshiyos, we have been reading about Yaakov Avinu’s sons, the Shivtei Kah, Twelve Tribes of Klal Yisrael, the closest link to our Patriarchs from whom our Nation descends. We refer to them by name and relate their activities; their sale of Yosef, followed by their encounter with the viceroy of Egypt, aka, Yosef; their ensuing remorse over their lack of empathy with his pain; their being supported by Yosef in Egypt; and, finally, their apology and request for absolution for their misdeed. Reading all this, we might lose sight of the greatness of these individuals. They…

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Home -> Vayechi -> 5781

בך יבורך ישראל לאמר ישימך אלקים כאפרים וכמנשה

Sruly Schnair
In 5781, Vayechi

By you shall Yisrael bless saying, “May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe.” (48:20)

Yaakov Avinu assured Yosef that, throughout the ages, Jewish parents would bless their sons that they grow up to be like Ephraim and Menashe. Why should these two grandsons of Yaakov, children raised in the pagan, hedonistic society that Egypt epitomized, be the paradigms of Jewish parents’ hopes for their children? At first blush, the mere fact that they “made it” in Egypt speaks volumes about them and their upbringing. If so, Yaakov would be speaking only with regard to the galus Jew, who is challenged by the non-Jewish, assimilationist environment. This is obviously not the case. Yaakov spoke to…

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