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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
Yakov & Yosef, it begins with the word "Vayechi."
We are all familiar with the idea that "the
righteous, even in death, are considered alive,"
for their influence & effect may carry on far
beyond their years. This lesson we learned way
back in parshat Chaye Sara – literally, "the life
of Sara"- which was centered exclusively on her death & burial.
But something seems strange here. There are 6
different parshiyot in the Torah that are named
for individuals: Noach, (Chaye) Sara; Yitro,
Pinchas, Balak & Korach. It is certainly a great
z’chut to have your name pronounced by millions
for thousands of years! So I ask you: why is this
closing sedra of ours not called "Vayechi
Yakov?!" After all, Chaye Sara does not begin
with the word "Sara;" in fact, it is the third
word in the sedra, while Yakov’s name is the
second in this Sedra! It seems that Yakov’s name
is almost being purposely left off. Why?
We have a rather dramatic tradition that "Yakov
did not die." This is loosely based on the fact
that the pasuk says, "he expired & was gathered
to his people;" rather than saying the more
common "he died," as it says about Avraham &
Yitzchak. That is why we have the popular saying
& song, "Od Avinu Chai, our father still lives."
I want to suggest that, while all the Avot &
Imahot left their mark on future generations,
there is something special about Yakov. Yakov
represents the totality of Am Yisrael; he was not
only the most prominent of the Avot, he was
literally the "father of our country," via the
name Yisrael that is both personal & national.
Yakov had the notable distinction of giving rise
to all Jews & has the bracha of all his offspring
remaining connected to the Jewish People. No, his
children were not always perfect: Yehuda had his
questionable tryst with Tamar, Yosef was sold
into slavery, Efraim would lead a "breakaway"
kingdom, Binyamin’s tribe was involved in the
horrible "pilegesh B’Giva" incident & so forth.
But - there is no Yishmael or Esav in Yakov’s
lineage, no evidence of his offspring deserting
the fold en masse and joining a new religion.
Therefore it seems to me that "Vayechi" is
referring to much more than just Yakov, & so the
word stands alone. Tying it to Yakov would be
limiting it, for "Vayechi" encompasses all the
millions of Jews through the centuries who
proudly identify as descendants of this
patriarch, who cling tenaciously to their faith
in the most challenging of situations. They might
stray from a total observance of the Mitzvot,
they might even be a Jew "in name only," but
that, too, is a merit in their favor, if they maintain some connection.
There is a story about two young boys trying to
escape the Chevron massacre in 1929. They climbed
a tree & were hiding there when a group of Arabs
ran by & saw them. One said, "look at those Arab
boys in the tree!" One of the boys yelled out,
"we’re not Arabs, we are Jews!" They were killed,
but they were killed as Jews, much like Daniel
Pearl, who proclaimed, "I am a Jew!" just before
he was murdered by terrorists.
Am Yisrael lives & it can never be destroyed as
long as we refuse to relinquish our title as Jews, as Bnei Yisrael/Yakov.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
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.
