Aliya Summary: Joseph lived until the age of 110. Before passing away he told his brothers that G‑d would eventually take them out of Egypt and return them to the Promised Land. Joseph asked his brothers to promise that when that time arrived they would carry his remains with them, and inter him in Israel.
Yosef tells his brothers that G-d will remember them and lead them out of Egypt, and then makes them swear that G-d will remember them and lead them out of Egypt (50:24-25), and that they'll take his remains with them when they leave. It seems that Yosef wanted to make sure that they heard and BELIEVED that they would be saved, and only swearing could convey that belief to him.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Shishi (6th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Benjamin was likened to a devouring wolf. Jacob then repeated his request to be buried in Israel, in the Cave of Machpelah in Chevron, and he passed away at the age of 147. After an extended national mourning period, Joseph received Pharaoh's permission to carry Jacob's body up to Israel. A huge funeral procession consisting of all the elders of Egypt as well as Jacob's family went and buried Jacob. After returning to Egypt, Joseph's brothers feared that now, after Jacob had passed away, Joseph would exact revenge from them for selling him into slavery. Joseph reassured them that he harbored no ill feelings towards them.
After Binyamin's blessing, the Torah recaps that these are the 12 tribes and the blessings bestowed upon them by Yaakov. It seems, however, that some of them didn't receive blessings, but rather were rebuked. Why would the Torah count them as blessings? The answer lies in the wording "each man, according to his blessing, he blessed them", meaning that each son received what he needed to receive in order to be blessed. Sometimes it was an actual blessing, and sometimes it was rebuke. If used properly, both can be used to grow and be blessed.
After Binyamin's blessing, the Torah recaps that these are the 12 tribes and the blessings bestowed upon them by Yaakov. It seems, however, that some of them didn't receive blessings, but rather were rebuked. Why would the Torah count them as blessings? The answer lies in the wording "each man, according to his blessing, he blessed them", meaning that each son received what he needed to receive in order to be blessed. Sometimes it was an actual blessing, and sometimes it was rebuke. If used properly, both can be used to grow and be blessed.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Chamishi (5th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Gad was blessed with bravery in battle. Asher's blessing: an abundance of olive oil. Naphtali was blessed with the speed of a deer. Joseph was recognized for his charm, suffering, and righteousness, and was showered with a variety of blessings.
When blessing Yosef, Yaakov says that his blessings surpassed his father's blessings, and so should Yosef's blessings surpass his (Yaakov's) blessings. Blessings are a curious thing, especially from father to son. If the son grows and accomplishes things, it reflects on his parents and they and their memory is blessed as a result. That means that father/son blessings build on themselves, becoming exponentially better. The same can be said of Jews in general. If a Jew does something good, it not only reflects on themselves, but also on Judaism, which increases the blessings for all Jews. As an example, when someone like Matisyahu represents himself as a thoughtful and proper Jewish singer, people might feel better about Jews, and that helps everyone be more tolerant, which might embolden others to display their Judaism, which might be observed by others who might do the same, etc. We don't know what snowball we might be starting, but hopefully they're of a positive variety.
When blessing Yosef, Yaakov says that his blessings surpassed his father's blessings, and so should Yosef's blessings surpass his (Yaakov's) blessings. Blessings are a curious thing, especially from father to son. If the son grows and accomplishes things, it reflects on his parents and they and their memory is blessed as a result. That means that father/son blessings build on themselves, becoming exponentially better. The same can be said of Jews in general. If a Jew does something good, it not only reflects on themselves, but also on Judaism, which increases the blessings for all Jews. As an example, when someone like Matisyahu represents himself as a thoughtful and proper Jewish singer, people might feel better about Jews, and that helps everyone be more tolerant, which might embolden others to display their Judaism, which might be observed by others who might do the same, etc. We don't know what snowball we might be starting, but hopefully they're of a positive variety.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Revii (4th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Jacob summoned all his sons, and delivered to each a poetic, and sometimes cryptic, parting personal message. Reuven was chastised for his impetuousness and for "ascending upon his father's bed." Shimon and Levi were rebuked for their anger, which expressed itself in the killing of the Shechemites and the attempted execution of Joseph. Judah was blessed with monarchy, success in waging battle, and an abundance of wine and milk in his portion. Zevulon was blessed with success in his sea-trade endeavors. Jacob likened Issachar to a thick-boned donkey who finds both rest and ample work. Dan was blessed with the tenacity of a serpent and the ability to judge.
While the first three messages to Reuven, Shimon and Levi were harsh, the fourth (to Yehuda) was positive. Yaakov called Yehuda a "cub and a lion". Yehuda was both because he was a fierce leader when he needed to be (which translates to his future descendants), and had a soft side when that was required (Rashi: like reasoning with his brothers about the merits of killing vs not killing Yosef, and admitting his mistakes with Tamar). While all the tribes displayed distinct and special characteristics, Yehuda was the first to display an ability to modify his characteristic cased on the situation, a quality worth learning to emulate.
While the first three messages to Reuven, Shimon and Levi were harsh, the fourth (to Yehuda) was positive. Yaakov called Yehuda a "cub and a lion". Yehuda was both because he was a fierce leader when he needed to be (which translates to his future descendants), and had a soft side when that was required (Rashi: like reasoning with his brothers about the merits of killing vs not killing Yosef, and admitting his mistakes with Tamar). While all the tribes displayed distinct and special characteristics, Yehuda was the first to display an ability to modify his characteristic cased on the situation, a quality worth learning to emulate.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Joseph was disturbed that Jacob placed his right hand on Ephraim, and he attempted to adjust his father's hands. "I know, my son, I know," Jacob responded, explaining that the "younger brother will be greater, and his children['s fame] will fill the nations." Jacob blessed the two boys further, saying that all of Israel will bless each other by saying: "May G‑d make you like Ephraim and Menashe."
Yosef panics when he sees Yaakov switch hands/blessings, but this was borne of the same theme discussed earlier. Yosef had to test his brothers to make sure they didn't become jealous when Binyamin got more presents than they did, and the brothers passed. Yaakov blessing Yosef's younger son more than the older might have created the same sort of jealousy, and Yosef had never tested his sons for their reaction. Yaakov's response was that he knew they would handle it well, and indeed they did. How did Yaakov know? Probably because Ephraim and Menashe had Yosef as a father, who instilled the proper values in his children. While Yosef tested his brothers, Yaakov didn't even see a need to test - Yosef's children's character was a given!
Yosef panics when he sees Yaakov switch hands/blessings, but this was borne of the same theme discussed earlier. Yosef had to test his brothers to make sure they didn't become jealous when Binyamin got more presents than they did, and the brothers passed. Yaakov blessing Yosef's younger son more than the older might have created the same sort of jealousy, and Yosef had never tested his sons for their reaction. Yaakov's response was that he knew they would handle it well, and indeed they did. How did Yaakov know? Probably because Ephraim and Menashe had Yosef as a father, who instilled the proper values in his children. While Yosef tested his brothers, Yaakov didn't even see a need to test - Yosef's children's character was a given!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Sheni (2nd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Joseph presents his two sons, placing Menashe, the firstborn, to Jacob's right, and Ephraim to Jacob's left. Jacob, who was nearly blind at this point, crossed his hands, placing his right – more prestigious – hand on Ephraim's head. He blessed them: "May the angel who redeemed me from all harm bless the youths, and may they be called by my name and the name of my fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and may they multiply abundantly like fish, in the midst of the land."
Yaakov's reference to fish in his blessings for Ephraim and Menashe (and for all Jewish children in perpetuity) is explained on at least two levels. Since fish are prolific, Yaakov was blessing his descendants that they should become a large nation. It is also known that the Ayin Hara (evil eye) has no hold over fish, and this too was part of his blessing. The connection between these two aspects is the phrase included in the blessing: "in the midst of the Land". If you are among others that are prolific and share your views and goals, there is less change of someone with an evil eye casting a curse on you. Hence the importance of living in a Jewish community, not just for the support, but for the shared goals.
Yaakov's reference to fish in his blessings for Ephraim and Menashe (and for all Jewish children in perpetuity) is explained on at least two levels. Since fish are prolific, Yaakov was blessing his descendants that they should become a large nation. It is also known that the Ayin Hara (evil eye) has no hold over fish, and this too was part of his blessing. The connection between these two aspects is the phrase included in the blessing: "in the midst of the Land". If you are among others that are prolific and share your views and goals, there is less change of someone with an evil eye casting a curse on you. Hence the importance of living in a Jewish community, not just for the support, but for the shared goals.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Daily Aliya for Vayechi, Rishon (1st Aliya)
General Overview: This week's Torah reading, Vayechi, discusses Jacob's final years. Shortly before his passing, Jacob blesses Joseph's children as well as his own. A massive funeral procession escorts Jacob's body to Canaan. The reading, and the Book of Genesis, concludes with Joseph's death.
Aliya Summary: Jacob lived his last seventeen years in Egypt. When Jacob sensed that his days were numbered he summoned Joseph and asked him to promise that he would bury him in Israel. Joseph acceded to the request. When Jacob then fell ill, Joseph visited him, accompanied by his two sons, Menashe and Ephraim. Jacob conferred upon Ephraim and Menashe the status of tribal progenitors, a status hitherto enjoyed only by Jacob's sons. Joseph asked his father to bless Ephraim and Menashe.
Aliya Summary: Jacob lived his last seventeen years in Egypt. When Jacob sensed that his days were numbered he summoned Joseph and asked him to promise that he would bury him in Israel. Joseph acceded to the request. When Jacob then fell ill, Joseph visited him, accompanied by his two sons, Menashe and Ephraim. Jacob conferred upon Ephraim and Menashe the status of tribal progenitors, a status hitherto enjoyed only by Jacob's sons. Joseph asked his father to bless Ephraim and Menashe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)