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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
What is the essence, the core of the blessings which Yakov – the greatest of all the patriarchs, the true "father of our country" – wants to invoke upon us, his children?
In the opening section of Vayechi, Yosef brings his two sons, Efraim & Menashe, to Yakov for a blessing. A rather strange dialogue then ensues, seemingly over who "owns" Efraim & Menashe. First Yakov says, "Your two sons shall be mine – li haym!" But then, just a moment later, Yakov asks, "Mi Eyleh, whose are these?" To which Yosef replies, "Banai Haym – these are MY boys!" At that point Yakov pointedly places his right hand on Efraim, his left on Menashe, & blesses both.
This back-&-forth battle over the boys - & to whom they ultimately belong – begs some kind of explanation. But first, let’s ask an additional question.
In last week’s parsha, Yakov bitterly related to Paro that "the years of my life are few & bad." And yet, this week’s sedra begins, "Vayechi Yakov, and Yakov lived!" - implying that Yakov did indeed enjoy quality of life. Well, did he or didn’t he?!
The Bal HaTurim answers: Yakov’s life was "good" when his entire family was together. That happened during the first 17 years of Yosef’s life – before he was sold by his brothers - as well as the final 17 years of Yakov’s life, when they all were reunited in Egypt. These 34 "good" years are hinted at by the word "Vayechi," which has a gematria of 34! The first blessing, then, is Unity, brotherhood, family, love. This unity is epitomized by the closeness of Efraim and Menashe; the text refers to the boys as "He" in the singular ("B'Cha") rather than in the plural ("Ba'Chem') to emphasize this special relationship.
As for the "debate" between Yakov & Yosef, as to whom the children belonged, this was an attempt to clarify what their basic outlook on life would be. Would it follow primarily a material path – as represented by Yosef, who was, after all, the material leader of Egypt - or would it follow the spiritual path, as represented by Yakov, the "Ish Ohalim," the dweller in tents of Torah study. Yakov’s insistence on "taking a hand" in the boys’ future, & telling Yosef pointedly, "May MY name be declared upon them!" was his way of directing them towards spiritual growth.
We all struggle with our kids & worry about where the journey of their life will take them. We want them to be materially blessed, but, at the end of the day, we are most concerned that they have a relationship with G-d. That, as well as the importance of sticking together as a family unit, is the prime legacy we hope to "hand" over to the generations to come.
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
