Vayechi – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

“Yosef is a charming son, charming to the eye.” (49:22)

The commentaries offer varied interpretations of Yaakov’s blessing to Yosef. They all share the common concept that Yosef’s blessing is imbued with the warmest terms of affection. Yaakov keeps his most commendatory blessing for Yosef, the one who is twice referred to as “son.” After all his suffering, Yosef receives his due acclaim and reward. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., defines Yosef’s distinction in the following manner: Yehudah was proclaimed the undisputed leader over the brothers. He demonstrated natural authority and enjoyed uncontested popularity. Yosef, however, whose spiritual and physical attributes were greater, always provoked the jealousy and hatred of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayechi

“And Yosef said to his brothers, I am dying and Hashem will surely remember you…and you shall bring up my bones from here.” (50:24,25)

After a distinguished career leading Bnei Yisrael, Yosef prepared to leave them with the words of encouragement that were to ring in their ears forever. Hashem will remember you! Yosef entreated his brothers to be sure to remove his bones from Egypt when they departed from exile. Yosef was not interred with the Patriarchs in Me’oras Hamachpailah. Rather, he was buried in Shechem. Horav Avigdor Miller, Shlita, suggests the following reasons for this. First, Yosef’s burial place was to serve as a monument to Hashem’s justice and His Providence. Yosef’s ordeal began in Shechem and it ended there some 250…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayechi

“And like fish they shall multiply in the midst of the earth.” (48:16)

Rashi explains that the word udshu originates from the word ds (fish). Thus, the blessing was that Efraim and Menashe should multiply and grow just as fish multiply and grow without the evil eye affecting them. This part of the blessing was so basic that the fish symbol served as the emblem on the banner of the tribe of Efraim. Even today the fish emblem serves as a talisman against the effect of the evil eye. This effect stems from the occult power of the jealousy, hatred, and envy of others. The Sefas Emes states that if Yosef and his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayechi

Shimon and Levi are brothers… into their council let my soul not come.” (49:5-6)

Despite the fact that Yaakov rebuked Shimon and Levi equally, we find that historically these two brothers went disparate ways. The tribe of Levi was chosen to carry the mantle of the priesthood, while the tribe of Shimon seemingly did not attain such a lofty position. We may suggest that this was because Shimon was the instigator whose aggressive actions led to the execution of the men of Shechem. In contrast, Levi was merely a follower who came under the influence of his brother. This characterization of Levi lies in his name, which is derived from the pasuk “Now this…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayechi

“Yehudah, your brothers shall praise (elevate) you.” (49:8)

Despite the fact that he was the fourth son, Yehudah spoke up to save Yosef’s life. He was also the valiant spokesman for Binyamin. Hashem rewarded him for his valor, promising that the future leadership of Am Yisrael was to be his. Yaakov’s prophesy applied not only to royalty, but also to the full name of nationhood which eventually was derived from Yehudah’s name: “Yehudim”. Horav Avigdor Miller Shlita explains that the word “Yehudah” in its noun form, is derived from “hod” which denotes elevation, splendor, or majesty. As a verb it acquires the meaning of praising or elevating. It…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayechi

“All these” were the twelve tribes of Israel. And “this” was what their father said to them and he blessed them, each according to his blessing he blessed them.” (49:28)

Yaakov was able to discern the diversity within the twelve tribes. In his blessing to his sons he reflected upon this. “All these” represented the tribes of Israel. Yaakov spoke to them of “this,” recognizing the underlying unity that existed among the tribes. When divergent opinions exist within any group, discord rules: Each member is struggling to impose his opinion on the other members. Regarding Am Yisrael, however, while each tribe and each community may have its own particular traditions, reflecting its own individual virtue, Yaakov blessed each one distinctively. Yet, as long as each remembers to ascribe to the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayechi

“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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“Yosef is a charming son, charming to the eye.” (49:22)

“And Yosef said to his brothers, I am dying and Hashem will surely remember you…and you shall bring up my bones from here.” (50:24,25)

“And like fish they shall multiply in the midst of the earth.” (48:16)

Shimon and Levi are brothers… into their council let my soul not come.” (49:5-6)

“Yehudah, your brothers shall praise (elevate) you.” (49:8)

“All these” were the twelve tribes of Israel. And “this” was what their father said to them and he blessed them, each according to his blessing he blessed them.” (49:28)

“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)

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