B"H

Tuesday, Tevet 14, 5784 / December 26, 2023

This week's Parsha, Vayechi, begins, "And Yaakov lived in the Land of Egypt seventeen years." 

The name "Vayechi" - and he "lived" indicates that the final years of Yaakov's life were good years.  Yaakov himself expresses this best.  When Joseph brought his two sons, Menashe and Ephraim to their grandfather for his blessing, Yaakov kissed and embraced them.  Then he said to Joseph, "I didn't think I would ever see your face and now, G-d had let me see also your children."

Yaakov's fondness and admiration for these two grandchildren is clearly seen in the Parsha.  In addition to giving Menashe and Ephraim special blessings, Yaakov appoints each as the head of a tribe in Israel.  Thus, they are the only grandchildren to merit becoming tribes.

In addition, Yaakov proclaims, "By you shall Israel bless saying, 'May G-d make you as Ephraim and as Menashe'." Jewish parents have used this phrase to bless their sons each Friday night for thousands of years.

Q.   What was special about Ephraim and Menashe?

A.   Our sages explain that Ephraim and Menashe were Yaakov's only grandchildren who were born and raised away from their grandfather.   All Yaakov's other grandchildren were raised under his guidance. This naturally instilled in them their spiritual heritage and love of G-d. However, Ephraim and Menashe were born and raised in Egypt.

Yet, Ephraim and Menashe were not swayed by the Egyptian culture.  Instead, they conducted their lives as befitting grandchildren of Yaakov, thus bringing the greatest pleasure and Nachas to their grandfather.  Menashe and Ephraim proved to Yaakov that the education their father, Yosef, received during his youth remained with him and enabled him to transmit the same values to his children even in such an alien environment.

This is what Yaakov means, "By you shall Israel bless saying, 'May G-d make you as Ephraim and as Menashe.’”   This is a blessing to Jewish children throughout the generations to withstand all tests and pressures and stay loyal to our heritage, just as Menashe and Ephraim did.

In the Parsha we read that Yaakov makes Joseph swear that after Yaakov’s passing, he will take his remains out of Egypt and bury him in the Me'arat Hamachpeilah, the family burial plot, in Hebron.  The Me'arat Hamachpeila in Hebron is the resting place of Adam & Eve, Abraham & Sarah, Yitzchak & Rivkah, Yaakov and Leah.

The Parsha concludes with the passing of Joseph.  Joseph too made his brothers promise to take his remains out of Egypt at the time of the Exodus.  Joseph passed away at the age of 110.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL