EVERY SPOKE IS NEEDED
This week’s Parsha, Vayeishev, presents us with the tragic story of Yosef and the brothers. When Yaakov ‘realizes’ that Yosef was killed by a wild animal he refuses to accept consolation. He continues to mourn with no end. The question is; the To-rah sets a limit how much mourning one may do. Excessive mourning is actually prohibited. Why, then, does Yaakov refuse to accept consolation over Yosef death?
The reason the Torah limits excessive mourning is because life continues on. Even when we lose an individual who cannot be replaced we nevertheless recognize that HaShem has so decreed and we learn to accept the new reality without our beloved friend or rebbe, relative or mentor. If one were to, Heaven forbid, lose a limb, as difficult as that would be, nevertheless, he must learn to accept the new reality and move forward without that limb.
In numerous places the Torah refers to the tribes of the our people as nations. In last week’s Parsha HaShem refers to Benyomin and Ephraim and Menashe as nations. The model of the Jewish people is not similar to a large nation with a wide variety of specialties. Rather, it is a model of a multitude of nations forming a larger Union. Each nation of these 12 nations has its unique culture and way of approaching life and dealing with the challenges that life presents. In spite of their differences all 12 nations share their highest priority which is to do everything for the sake of HaShem. One nation may focus on fasting and beating down their indulgence in the physical pleasures, while another may specifically focus on bringing joy and laughter into life. Both nations are diligently dedicated to their approach as a way to serve HaShem.
Before we return to our question why Yaakov refused to be con-soled we must add one component. This conglomerate union of varying nations was not haphazard. The Jewish people were de-signed such that there must be 12 distinct tribes. If any one nation is missing, the entire system unravels. Let us take a wheel that was designed to have 12 spokes and one spoke is taken out then the entire wheel is no longer functional. Each tribe is plays a critical role in the whole unit. Imagine, after finding the 10 people necessary for a minyan, one fellow backs out. You are not left with a smaller minyan, you are left with no minyan at all.
The Abarbanel explains that Yaakov understood that each of his sons was to be the progenitor of a different tribe and the re must be 12 such tribes for the Jewish people to be viable. When he ‘realized’ that Yosef was killed, he was not mourning the loss of one of his sons, he was mourning the loss of the destiny of the Jewish people. Without Yosef, and for that matter, without Shimon or any other tribe, there could be no Jewish people. Such a loss deserves eternal mourning. Without a viable Jewish people there can no purpose for creation itself.
The Abarnanel’s insight opens for me a new appreciation for the multitude of Jewish communities that exist. We have Chassidishe community and within Chassidim there are so many varied communities. We have the Litvish community and the Bukharian community. We have the Yemenite community and the Syrian community. Each of these are so different from each other; almost like different nations. And that is exactly what we need to be viable and to be HaShem’s chosen people.
May we cherish every one of our nations as much as HaShem cherishes every one of His nations.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and a lichtig’e Chanukah
Paysach Diskind