When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. This week I learned about Parashat Veyechi aka Vaychi or Vayhi (Genesis 47:28 through 50:26) is the 12th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings, concluding Genesis. According to Wikipedia, Veyechi contains 4,448 Hebrew letters, 1,158 words, 85 verses and 148 lines of the Torah Scroll. Veyechi, (וַיְחִי), translated as “and he lived“, tells the story of of Jacob’s request for burial in Canaan, Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob’s blessing of his sons, Jacob’s death and burial and Joseph’s death.
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Veyechi for Shabbat, January 11, 2025 aka the 11 Tevet 5785:
“The Sedra Vayechi relates that Jacob lived the remainder of his life, 17 years in Egypt. The famous commentator Ramban states that during this period, the land of Egypt prospered and that the arrival of Jacob in Egypt marked the end of the 7 years of famine. Even Pharaoh understood that the presence of such a renowned individual living within his borders offered special blessings to himself and his kingdom. This perhaps explains why, upon his passing, even the Egyptian people mourned his loss.
What was so special about the presence of Jacob? The Sages teach that he was a living example of chesed (kindness) not only to his own family, but also to the rest of the world. Jacob lived through many challenges during his lifetime, but always persevered. He wrestled with men and angels and was blessed by G-d with the name Israel which we carry to this day. Yet, despite these challenges, he never gave in to bitterness or anger and became only stronger in his belief in Hashem.
When we judge those around us, let us understand that the value that a person adds to the world, is exactly how much kindness and healing that person brings to those around him/her. One need not wrap themselves in the flag or Talit to be considered righteous. Indeed, Mishnah Avot states, “the righteous of all the nations have a share in the world to come”.
As we read of the concluding verses of Berieshit this Shabbat, let us, like Jacob, bring blessing to the world by our words and deeds and may we be worthy to merit the words, Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazek- may we be strong and strengthened and strengthen those around us with the merit of a righteous life.
Questions for Discussion:
- Which of the blessings that Jacob gives to his sons seem more like admonitions?
- Why is important that Joseph seeks Pharaoh’s permission to bury his father in Israel?
- How is Joseph’s desire to also be buried in Israel fulfilled?
- How is the blessing of Efraim and Menashe a reenactment of earlier stories?”
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his smicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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