5771

“The days of the years of my sojourns have been a hundred and thirty years. Few and bad have been the days of the years of my life.” (47:9)

Daas Zekeinim m’Baalei HaTosfos quotes the Mishnah that says Yaakov Avinu was punished for making the above statement, condemning the years of his life as being “few and bad.” As a result of the Patriarch’s “complaint,” his life was shortened thirty-three years, which coincides with the thirty-three words (Pesukim 8-9) expressing this. The question is obvious and glaring: How could Yaakov have made such a statement? The Patriarch was an individual who served the Almighty with all of his heart and soul. How could he declare that his years were “few and bad”? Furthermore, to have made such a statement…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayigash

And he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to transport him, then the spirit of Yaakov, their father was revived. (45:27)

In the previous pesukim, whenever Yaakov Avinu’s name is mentioned, his relationship to his sons is not indicated. Here, in denoting his “revival,” the Torah insists o underscoring that Yaakov avihem, “their father” became revived. What is the connection and significance of his being their forebear to his revival? Horav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, Shlita, explains this based upon a principle quoted from his father Horav Shneuer Kotler, zl. The Rosh Yeshivah focuses on the opening Mishnah of Pirkei Avos, in which the Tanna commences his treatise on ethics by first introducing the Mesorah, transmission, of Torah from Hashem to Moshe and…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayigash

However, when they related to him all the words that Yosef had spoken to them, and he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to transport him, then the spirit of their father Yaakov was revived. (45:27)

It seems as if the brothers were now conveying something new to Yaakov Avinu. Apparently, earlier when they had told him, Ode Yosef chai! – “Yosef is still alive, and he is the ruler over the land of Egypt” (45:26), this news did not catalyze as strong a reaction as their relating to him all that Yosef had actually told them. Furthermore, why is it that now – after hearing what Yosef had said – Yaakov suddenly noticed the wagons sent by Yosef? It is not as if the wagons were not there earlier. Last, what is the meaning of the…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayigash

“I will fully provide for you there, for there will be another five years of famine, lest you, and your household and all that is yours become poor.” (45:11)

Yosef HaTzaddik pointed out to his brothers that it had all finally come together. The ambiguities that had plagued their lives could now be seen as the handiwork of Hashem, Who orchestrated events for a specific purpose. It was all becoming clear. Indeed, there is hardly another narrative in the Torah that so cogently demonstrates the ways of Hashgachah, Divine Providence. Horav S.R. Hirsch, zl, comments that this story is probably the most vivid commentary on Shlomo Ha’melech’s saying: “The great Master of the Universe produces all things from their smallest beginnings. Be they physical or social, He causes them all…

Home -> Vayigash -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayigash

But his brothers could not answer him, because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

The Midrash quotes Abba Kohen Bardela in what has become one of the standard catchphrases concerning the process of rebuke, remorse and repentance: Oi la’nu mi’yom ha’din; Oi la’nu mi’yom ha’tochachah, “Woe to us from the Day of Judgment; woe to us from the Day of Rebuke.” While a number of issues regarding this statement beg elucidation, we will focus on a question raised by Horav Avraham Yoffen, zl, concerning the sequence of this statement. “Day of Rebuke” follows “Day of Judgment.” However, first one rebukes – then one issues judgment. The Tanna apparently had a reason for altering the sequence….

Home -> Vayigash -> 5771

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5771, Vayigash

But his brothers could not answer him, because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

It had become clear to the brothers. The ambiguities with which they had lived for the last twenty-two years were all resolved, as everything that had transpired fell into place. Likewise, explains the Chafetz Chaim, when our exile is finally concluded and Hashem lifts the veil from our eyes, we will see clearly how the events of history all fit together. What up until now seemed to be an inexplicable puzzle will be revealed as a Divine master plan. In the Midrash Rabbah, a quotation from Abba Kohen Bardela has set the standard for understanding the concept of mussar/tochachah, ethical…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

YEARS

“The days of the years of my sojourns have been a hundred and thirty years. Few and bad have been the days of the years of my life.” (47:9)

And he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to transport him, then the spirit of Yaakov, their father was revived. (45:27)

However, when they related to him all the words that Yosef had spoken to them, and he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to transport him, then the spirit of their father Yaakov was revived. (45:27)

“I will fully provide for you there, for there will be another five years of famine, lest you, and your household and all that is yours become poor.” (45:11)

But his brothers could not answer him, because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

But his brothers could not answer him, because they were left disconcerted before him. (45:3)

BOOK OF BEREISHIS

BOOK OF SHEMOS

BOOK OF VAYIKRAH

BOOK OF BAMIDBAR

BOOK OF DEVARIM

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!