Thoughts on Parashah Vayechi
Genesis 47:28-50:26
This week’s parashah reading is found at the tail end of the book of Genesis. As we close out the first book of the Bible, we learn many things. However, one of the most important things we learn is the importance of the Word itself.
Genesis 47:28 Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt: These were Jacob’s best years. When Jacob heard that Joseph was both alive and still loyal to the Torah, “the spirit of Jacob…revived.” (Gen. 35:27) It would thus seem that Jacob’s seventeen years in Egypt were the happiest in his life because he was there reunited with Joseph and proud that his son had been faithful to his instruction, withstanding all his tests—from those of slavery to those of public office.
Nonetheless, when Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (the Tzemach Tzedek) was a young boy, he asked his grandfather, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi: “How could it be that the best years of Jacob’s life were those he lived in Egypt, the epitome of decadence?”
His grandfather answered: “It is written, ‘[Jacob] had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph, to make advance preparations in Goshen.’ (Gen. 36:28) Rashi quotes the Midrash’s interpretation of this verse: Jacob sent Judah to set up a house of study so he and his sons could study the Torah in Egypt. (Tanchuma, ed. Buber ad loc) When we study the Torah, we become closer to God, so in this way it is possible to live good years even in Egypt.”
Yet, if, indeed, it was the presence of a house of Torah study in Egypt—rather than being united with Joseph—that made Jacob’s last years there his best, could he not have set up a house of study in the land ofIsrael all those years. Rabbi Shneur Zalman answered that the Torah is the antidote even to Egypt; because the Torah connects us to God Himself, who is beyond the limitations and evil of Egypt, when we study the Torah we are immune to the detrimental effects Egypt can otherwise have on us. (Likutei Sichot, vol. 10, pp. 160 ff.)
In reading the above quote, if we keep in mind the age old connection of Egypt being a symbol for “sin”, we have a powerful truth. If we stay in the Word and study it as often as we can, the sinful world we live will have little affect on us. However, it goes beyond just reading the Word; we have to “study” it. When we study something, we’re not just reading. We are acquiring what we are reading. So there is a difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible. The difference is a matter of life and death.
The world we live in today is do dark. One is not hard pressed to find a way to sin and slip in the darkness of this world. It’s at every turn, at our finger tips on our computers, smart phones, TVs, radio, books, you name it. The entire world today is “Egypt”. Yet the Word of God is powerful. Its our “lead shield” to the world’s “kryptonite.” It opens our eyes to the things around us so we can see if something is good for our souls or not. It is a lamp unto our feet. It shows us the way to live and guides us around dark allies and averts us from serious harm. That’s not to say the world won’t touch us or bad things won’t happen. After all, you can’t go swimming in a sewer without picking up a bit of stink.
We must strive to be like Jacob and live in our “Egypt” with the Word of God ever in our sights. Who knows…it could turn out to be the best years of your life!
Very good as always.