Vayechi – Page 15 – Peninim on the Torah

“And call them by my name and the name of my forefathers.” (48:16)

Sforno explains “call them (Ephraim and Menashd) by my name” to mean they should be worthy of having the names of the Patriarchs linked with theirs. When one is still young, and has not yet earned his reputation, he is recognized not in his own right, but rather by his ancestry. He is referred to as the son or grandson of his parents or ancestors. Yaakov blesses his grandsons by wishing that his own name and that of his ancestors be known, revered, and extolled because of their works and merits. There is a great nachas when a father is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayechi

“And he blessed them that day saying with you Israel will bless its children, saying “Hashem should make you like Ephraim and Menashe.” (48:20)

The verse begins with the plural “ofrchu” (and he blessed them) and ends with the singular “lc” (with you). Perhaps it may be suggested that Yaakov is referring to Yosef’s dedication to properly educating his sons in a land foreign and adverse to Torah and its heritage. Yosef’s two sons were born and raised in a land which was diametrically opposed to Yaakov’s principles. Although there were daily temptations and attractions to seduce them away from the faith of their ancestors, they remained steadfast in their commitment to their faith. On the contrary, they were willing to reject their noble …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayechi

“Shimon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their tools… I will divide them up in Yaakov and I will scatter them in Yisroel.” (49:5-7)

Rashi explains that they were destined to become wanderers amongst the Jews, serving as scribes who write and check sacred scrolls such as Tefillin, Mezuzos and Sifrei Torah, as teachers of children, wandering from community to community, and as Kohanim and Leviim whose sustenance comes from gifts of harvest across the countryside. All this was in response to their actions at Shechem, when they killed the population of an entire city for being party to the violation of their sister, Dinah. This punishment, which resulted in the diffusion of their strength, was a just response to their actions. However,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayechi

“Yisacher, an agile beast (donkey) of burden, rests between the borders.” (49:14)

The analogy between Yisachar’s ability to bear the load of a donkey, is intended as a unique lesson for one who devotes himself to Torah study. The donkey, in contrast to a horse, rests with its load on its back since it has the ability to rest in position with its complete load tied on. The horse however, must have its load removed so that it can move around and relax. The tribe of Yisacher symbolizes the Jew who devotes himself to the diligent study of Torah. The great test for a Ben Torah comes when he feels he must…

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“And call them by my name and the name of my forefathers.” (48:16)

“And he blessed them that day saying with you Israel will bless its children, saying “Hashem should make you like Ephraim and Menashe.” (48:20)

“Shimon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their tools… I will divide them up in Yaakov and I will scatter them in Yisroel.” (49:5-7)

“Yisacher, an agile beast (donkey) of burden, rests between the borders.” (49:14)

YEARS

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