Parashat Vayechi
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==Yackov's Life in Egypt== | ==Yackov's Life in Egypt== | ||
− | Yackov lived in Egypt for 17 years | + | Yackov lived in Egypt for 17 years. These years were the most prosperous of his life, where he attained great levels in happiness and satisfactions.<ref name="Likutay Halachos">Likutay Halachos</ref> Despite the fact that he had spent years in the Holy Land, Yackov was only able to fully attain these levels in the impure Egypt, at the onset of the horrible Egyptian exile that was already beginning to manifest. The main completion of 'happiness' is not when a person manages to push aside bitterness and suffering but rather when he grabs this pain and transforms that itself into happiness. Using these methods Yackov caused great clarifications in the spiritual 'Chambers of Exchange', paving way for the Tikkunim of the later generations. During these years Yackov fully grasped how the 'final redemption' could only arrive once the Tzadikim descend to the lowest places and collect the elements of holiness from there.<ref name="Likutay Halachos"/> |
− | + | ==Yackov Binds Yosef by an Oath== | |
− | + | Yackov's prosperous years of life in Egypt draw to an end. Having reached age 147, Yackov fears he will soon pass away despite that his father Yitzchak had lived to be 180.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29">Rashi Berashis 47:29</ref> He calls Yosef, binding him by an oath to bury him in Mearos Hamachpala in Chevron along with his forefathers. Yosef had to be summoned since he always tried to avoid being alone with his father out of fear he would question him about the past and expose the story of his sale, causing Yackov to willingly curse his brothers.<ref>Sefer Avosanu, Vayechi / Hadar Zikanim</ref> Yosef agrees and then upon Yackov's request, swears by his fathers Bris Milah . Yackov then bows to his son. | |
− | ==Yackov | + | |
− | Yackov's prosperous years of life in Egypt draw to an end. Having reached age 147, Yackov fears he will soon pass away despite that his father Yitzchak had lived to be 180.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:29">Rashi Berashis 47:29</ref> He | + | |
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− | Yosef had to be summoned since he always tried to avoid being alone with his father out of fear he would question him about the past and expose the story of his sale, causing Yackov to willingly curse his brothers.<ref>Sefer Avosanu, Vayechi / Hadar Zikanim</ref> Yosef agrees and then upon Yackov's request, swears by his fathers Bris Milah . Yackov then bows to his son. | + | |
===Burial in Chevron=== | ===Burial in Chevron=== | ||
− | Yackov did not wish to be buried in Egypt so his tomb would not become an object of idolatrous worship. | + | Yackov did not wish to be buried in Egypt so his tomb would not become an object of idolatrous worship. Aside for the obvious issue with this, he was also aware that all idolatrous objects would be destroyed during the 'plague of the first born'.<ref>Sefer Avosanu, Vayechi</ref> |
− | + | This would also allow him to be spared the suffering of Gilgul Mechilos during the time of Resurrection, where Jews buried in Diaspora must first roll through underground passages to Eretz Yisroel before being resurrected. He was also aware that during the future Ten Plagues that would afflict Egypt, all its top soil would turn to lice and Yackov did not wish to them crawl under his body.<ref name="Rashi Shemos 47:28"/> Additionally it would prevent Jews from hesitating to leave Egypt and saying it must contain some holiness if Yackov agreed to be buried there.<ref>Sefer Avosanu, Vayechi/ Mishnas Rebbe Eliezer 19</ref> Yackov had previously purchased the rights to the last remaining plot in Mearos Hamachpela from his brother Esav. | |
− | This would also allow him to be spared the suffering of Gilgul Mechilos | + | |
− | Yackov also requested that if | + | Yackov also requested that if was to be temporarily be buried in Egypt until he could be transferred to Chevron, then some of the surrounding dirt should be take and transferred along with his body.<ref>Rabbanu Ovadia Ohalos Chapter 16 Mishna 3</ref> |
===The Oath=== | ===The Oath=== | ||
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===Chesed of Truth=== | ===Chesed of Truth=== | ||
− | Often people do kind acts calculating that in some form they will be repaid by the person. This does not apply to a dead person | + | Often people do kind acts calculating that in some form they will be repaid by the person. This does not apply to a dead person and any act of kindness done with him is called a 'chesed of truth'. Similarly some people honor their father out of fear or embarrassment, by carrying out Yackov's will Yosef would show all that he truthfully honored his father.<ref>Sefer Avosanu, Vayechi / Berashis Rabba 96 5</ref> |
===Yackov Bows=== | ===Yackov Bows=== | ||
− | Yackov | + | Yackov bows towards the head of his bed, the resting place of the Schina which tends to hover above the head of the ill, at the same time giving honor to Yosef. Although Yosef was his son, he held a position of royalty and was therefore given honor, just as the lion must bow to the fox when the hour allows him to have a position of power.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:31">Rashi Berashis 47:31</ref> In truth Yaakov was really bowing to Hashem thanking him that his offspring were perfect and none ended up wicked, as was evidenced by the fact that Yosef was a king and had been captured among the heathens, yet remained steadfast in his righteousness.<ref name="Rashi Berashis 47:31"/> |
==Blessing of Menashe and Ephraim== | ==Blessing of Menashe and Ephraim== | ||
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==Yackov's Blessing of the Tribes== | ==Yackov's Blessing of the Tribes== | ||
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==Passing of Yackov== | ==Passing of Yackov== | ||
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==Passing of Yosef== | ==Passing of Yosef== | ||
− | At the time of his passing, Yosef instructed the Jews never to change their Hebrew names and adopt Egyptian names, | + | At the time of his passing, Yosef instructed the Jews never to change their Hebrew names and adopt Egyptian names, despite the fact that he himself was given the Egyptian name of Tzafnat Paneach.<ref>Baal Haturim Shemos 1:1</ref> |
==References== | ==References== |
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