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This is a unique moment in history; all eyes & ears are glued to the scene. What platitudes will they say to each other?
Alas, the exchange between them is puzzling, to say the least. Paro can only manage to mutter, "How old are you?" And Yakov’s response is: "The days of the years of my journeys is 130 years; few & bad they have been, not reaching the life span of my ancestors."
I am mystified by Yakov’s answer. Why does he give what seems to be such a bitter, depressing response, calling his life "short & bad," worse than that of Avraham & Yitzchak? Sure, I understand that Yakov lived from crisis to crisis, enduring the trials of Esav & Lavan, being separated from his favorite son for more than two decades, seeing his daughter kidnapped & raped. He certainly had what to complain about. But is this really the epitaph he wants as his last legacy? Why not focus on all the many positives of his life: His prodigious family, from which will emanate the entire Jewish People; his steely endurance; his victory over the angel; his reunion with Yosef?
I suggest the following: Yakov has been told by Hashem that his children are going into Exile. It is a "vision of the night," a dark portent of what we must endure during the "Gehenom of the Galut" (as the Bal HaTurim calls it). So Yakov, with all his family gathered around him, sends a thinly-veiled message, with words both spoken - AND unspoken! – that his children (if not Paro) can decipher & learn from. This is the message I see him sending:
"My years have been short & bad;" he says, "I’ve had to spend so much of my time away from our land, often among absolute scoundrels. And, unlike my father & grandfather, I will not even have the merit, the z’chut to die in Israel. But - I have survived everything life could throw at me & I have neither succumbed nor surrendered. I have maintained my faith & stayed close to G-d through it all."
"And now you, my children, are destined to spend much of your history in exile, where Jewish lives are often cut short & life is often horrendously bad. So I now charge you: Strengthen yourselves & follow my lead. Do not lose your faith; do not give up, no matter how gloomy things may appear. Survive - & return ultimately to our Land."
Yakov may have thought that he only lived 130 years, but he was wrong: His words live on and he still inspires us - Od Avinu Chai!
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
