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THIRST MAKES THE WATER SWEET

In this week’s Parsha, as Yaakov draws close to parting from this world, he calls his 12 sons to gather around him as he wishes to in-form them of the date when his people will achieve their ultimate mission. Before Yaakov has the chance to reveal when that point in time will come, he loses his ruach haKodesh and never tells them. For some reason HaShem wanted that this date should remain a secret.

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SILENT PURITY CAN BE HEARD FROM AFAR

Excerpted from a talk from Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky

In this week’s Parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov gathers his 12 sons around him as he gives them their respective blessings. Each blessing reflects their unique qualities and responsibilities. In last week’s Parsha the Midrash identifies Yehudah and Yosef as the two kings of our people. Naturally, their qualities of kingship are reflected in the blessings that Yaakov bestowed upon them. Let us take note of the remarkable distinction between the blessings they received. Regarding Yehudah, Yaakov says that “Your brothers shall submit to you… your father’s sons shall bow to you.” This certainly draws a picture of a sovereign that is accepted by his people. Regarding Yosef however, Yaakov says “A charming son is Yosef, the girls climbed heights to gaze. His brother embittered him and became antagonists…From there he shepherded the stone of Israel.”

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THE ANATOMY OF TRUST

In this week’s Parsha, Vayechi, our father Yaakov lies on his deathbed giving blessings to each of his sons. To Dan he references the great leader, Shimshon, who singlehandedly brought down the Plishtim when they rose up against our people. Immediately after referencing Shimshon, Yaakov adds a prayer that he trusts in Ha-Shem for His salvation. One of the commentaries points out that Yaakov is clarifying to his children that although there will be an extremely powerful leader who will be able to bring down the enemy, nevertheless, the one in whom they must place their trust is HaShem and in nobody else.

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A PEOPLE, ETERNAL

This week’s Parsha, Vayechi, concludes the first Book of Torah, the Book of Breishis. Breishis is also referred to as the Book of the Straight, which is a reference to our fathers who set the straight path upon which we walk.

I would like share a perspective on our relationship to our fathers using an insight that someone gave me many years ago.

People ask how do we know that we are the chosen people, after all, there are many cultures and societies who believe in a god and each of them claim that they are the chosen people of that god. To answer this question I ask them for their reaction to the following two people.