Congregation Kneseth Israel

...proudly serving the Jewish community of Anne Arundel County since 1906

Parsha of the Week:

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28- 50:26; Haftorah I Kings 2:1-12)

January 10, 2009 14 Tevet 5769

Synopsis: Jacob asked his son Joseph to bury him in the Holy Land; Joseph swore to Jacob that he would; Jacob blessed Joseph's children Menasha and Ephraim; Jacob blessed the twelve children; Jacob died; the Egyptians mourned for Jacob; Joseph promised that he would continue to support his brothers; Joseph died.

Q: Jacob and Israel are the same person. Why does the Bible sometimes refer to him as Jacob and at other times as Israel?

A: When he was born, he was named Jacob. Jacob worked hard, studied, and prayed to the Almighty. He suffered the abuse of Laban, who tricked him continuously. Later, he fought against the wicked angel of Esau. When Jacob defeated the angel, G-d changed his name to Israel. Because of this victory, Israel became a name of protection. Jacob's descendants are known as the Children of Israel. When Israel became bitter over the loss of his son Joseph, he lost his ability to prophesize and reverted back to the name Jacob (Genesis 45:2,28). When his sons finally told Jacob that Joseph was still alive, G-d's Presence returned to Jacob. Israel was very happy and immediately wanted to go visit his son, but Joseph was in Egypt. Jacob/Israel was conflicted; on one hand, he very much wanted to see his son Joseph, while on the other hand, G-d had previously forbidden him to leave the Holy Land. G-d appeared to him in a night vision and called, "Jacob, Jacob". G-d encouraged Jacob to go down to Egypt by repeating to him the promise that He had made to Jacob's grandfather Abraham. "I am you G-d and the G-d of your fathers. DO not fear descending to Egypt...I will go with you and bring your future generations back to the Holy Land." In this way, it became clear that Jacob and his family were directed into exile by G-d. At the beginning of Genesis, G-d had told Abraham that his children would be strangers in a foreign land. They would be enslaved for 400 years but ultimately would return as a nation to the Holy Land. Jacob/Israel is described by the Bible as a great world leader. Israel was considered a victorious name and became the name of the entire nation.

Q: Right before Jacob was about to die, he called Joseph and told him, "Put your hand under my thigh... Don't bury me in Egypt (Genesis 47:29). Please, bury me with Abraham and Isaac." Why?

A: Jacob wanted Joseph to make a vow to which he would be strongly bound. At the time, placing one's hand under another's thigh was the most serious way of making an oath. The angel damaged Jacob's hip when they wrestled because the angel was trying to get at the birthright agreement made between Jacob and Esau; the agreement was kept in Jacob's hip pocket. In both instances we are talking about the continued existence of Israel as a people and as a nation.

Q: According to the Bible, what is the highest level of kindness?

A: The highest level of kindness is to do something for a deceased person. Such an act comes purely from the heart; there is no reward involved. Even by attending the funeral service of an unknown person you perform this mitzvah. We find a parallel between this and the righteous Joseph's behavior. Jacob asked his son Joseph before he died, "Do me a favor of true kindness and promise that you will bury me in the Holy Land and not leave me here in Egypt" (Genesis 47:29). After Jacob died, there would be nobody to verify this deed and no reward to be gained.

Q: Why did Jacob not want to be buried in Egypt?

A: There were two major reasons why Jacob did not want to be buried in Egypt. First, Jacob believed Israel to be the holiest land on earth (Rashi, Genesis 47:29). Second, the Egyptians had a tradition to worship the dead, and Jacob did not want his body to be worshipped like an idol (Rashi).

Q: Why did Israel/Jacob bow down to his son Joseph (Genesis 47:31)?

A: The sages say in the Talmud, "When the fox was in his glory, all the animals bowed down to him." Jacob wanted to demonstrate that we must show reverence, respect, and recognition to a leader even if the leader is one's son (Babylonian Talmud, Magillah 16b).

Q: Why does Israel/Jacob not recognize Joseph's sons?

A: In the simple meaning of recognition. Israel/Jacob's eyesight began to fail in his old age. Jacob had seen in a prophecy that wicked kings would descend from Joseph's sons. In shock, he said: "From where did these children come that they are not suotable for blessing?" (Yonatan ben Uziel; Rashi). Jacob did not know Joseph's wife and was not sure of the legitimacy of his grandsons since the marriage had taken place in Egypt. Joseph showed his father their marriage documents, thereby reassuring Jacob of his sons legitimacy (Rashi; Masechet Kallah 3:15).

Q: When Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, why did he put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, the younger son, and his left hand on the head of Menashe, the older son, when it should have been reversed, as the right gives a stronger blessing?

A: Jacob saw in a prophecy that Ephraim would be greater that Menashe and therefore deserved the stronger blessing.

Q: Twice in this parsha, Jacob has a prophecy and plans to tell it when the prophetic message suddenly disappears. When and why?

A: The first instance occurred when Joseph brings his sons Ephraim and Menashe to their grandfather Jacob to be blessed. Jacob begins to bless them but stops when he sees in a vision that wicked people will descend from them. This initially kept Jacob from blessing them. From the descendants of Ephraim would come the evil kings Yeruva'am and Ach'av. From Menashe would come the wicked Yahu and his sons (Rashi, Genesis 48:8).

Just before Jacob passed away, he wished to bless his children. He started by saying, "come near my bed and I will tell you the future." He began to disclose to them the future, the coming of the Messiah, but before he could reveal those secrets he lost his train of thought, was unable to continue and then he died (Rashi, Genesis 49:1).

Q: What special blessing did Joseph's sons eventually receive from their grandfather Jacob?

A: They received the blessing of Vayigdu Larov. "May you be like fish. May you be fruitful and multiply. May the evil eye never touch you." Therefore, it became a custom that when someone want to bless his sons, he says, "May you be like Joseph's sons Ephraim and Menashe" (Rashi, Genesis 48:16, 20).

Q: Why did Jacob gather all his sons together before he died?

A: First, he wanted to unite all his sons. Second, he wanted to bless and rebuke each son individually.

To Reuven he gives only rebuke. He was told he would lose his kingdom, the priesthood, and his birthright. All this because he acted in haste.

To Simeon, a rebuke and a blessing. His tribe would be dispersed among the other tribes. This was the result also of his desire to kill Joseph and the slaying of the people Shechem. The blessing was that he would be a teacher of children.

To Levi, rebuke and blessing. His tribe would also be dispersed among the tribes of Israel. This was a result of his desire to kill Joseph and the massacres of the people Shechem. His blessing was he would be called to do service in the Temple, and collected of the tithes.

To Judah came a double blessing. His tribe would receive the kingship of Israel. The tribe would also receive the most fertile lands in Israel. This came about because he truly repented for his past actions.

To Z;vulun a blessing. His tribe would become successful in seafaring. This came beacuse he supported his brother Issachar in his learning.

To Dan a blessing. Because of his tribe's bravery in the war with the Philistines, he was given the distinction that the great judges of Israel would descend from him. Samson is a descendant of Dan.

To Gad a blessing. This tribe was the first to volunteer to defend Israel from any enemy. The blessing was that its members would return home from battle safely.

To Asher a blessing. They would receive the land of olive groves. They received this because they supported Gad in defending Israel.

To Naphtali a blessing that their lands would ripen quickly and beautifully and be plentiful. This ame about because they would be the tribe that would protect the burial rights of Jacob to the Cave of Machpelah.

To Joseph five blessings. The first would be that they evil eye would not affect the tribe. Second, that the land he inherited would never lack water. Third, his land would produce bountifully. Fourth, the tribe would be fruitful and multiply. Last, he would be the one to inherit the blessings of his forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All of this came about because he was a high moral caliber. He overcame many obstacles yet remained true to the Will of the Almighty. He also overcame the animosity and antagonism of his siblings.

To Benjamin a blessing. He would defeat his enemies. He was fearless in battle against Israel's enemies.

Q: How does Rashi prove that Simeon and Levi were the brothers that planned to kill Joseph?

A: When Jacob blessed his children he said to Simeon and Levi, "You are too violent. I will separate the two of you, and your tribal descendants will be far apart" (Genesis 49:7). When Joseph was in the field with his brothers, the Bible says that one brother said to the other, "Here's the dreamer, let's kill him" (Genesis 37:19-20). We know that Reuven and Judah did not want to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:22-26) and that Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher were friendly with Joseph. Issachr and Z'vulun never spoke before their brothers, so that leaves only Simeon and Levi (Rashi, Genesis 49:5).

Q: What were Jacob's commands related to his burial?

A: He wanted to be buried with his ancestors in the Cave of Machpelah. He did not want Egyptians to carry his coffin, because they were idol worshippers. He also did not want his grandchildren to carry the casket, because some of them married Canaanite women, and he did not want to embarrass them. He had a specific order for the funeral procession. The tribes along with their flags had to be in a specific order: to the east Judah, Issachar and Z'vulun; to the south Reuven, Simeon, and Gad; to the west Ephraim, Menashe, and Benjamin; to the north Dan, Naphtali, and Asher. Jacob also declared that Levi should not carry the coffin, which foreshadowed the tribe's service to the Temple when they would be the ones to carry the Ark. Joseph was also not to carry the coffin because of his status of second to Pharaoh. Ephraim and Menashe would substitute for Levi and Joseph. Although they were technically grandchildren, Jacob saw them as his children.

Q: While Jacob's final words to Simeon and Levi may seem harsh, how do we see that they contained prophecy?

A: The Torah says, "I will separate and disperse them among the tribes." Jacob saw the dangers presented by Simeon and Levi when they were together (e.g., they killed the entire city of Shechem, they planned to kill Joseph...) so Jacob helped them, Levi would be separate from the rest of the tribes; as it says in the Bible, when Moses divided the Holy Land, the tribe of Levi did not inherit any part of the land. Moreover, Jacob put Simeon among the tribes in order to avoid any more overzealous actions, assuring that Simeon would be separate from Levi.

Jacob, in his wisdom, prayed that Simeon and Levi would use their special natures, their toughness, for good. Levi served in the Temple. One of their duties was to collect the tithes (ten percent of a person's salary or property). Simeon's descendants would be teachers. A good teacher sometimes has to be very strict with their students. From this Jacob hoped to demonstrate how Simeon and Levi could use their character traits for good purposes (Rashi, Genesis 49:7).

Q: What are the similarities betwen the blessings Jacob and Moses give to the tribes?

A: To the tribe of Asher the blessing from Jacob was "His nourishment will be riches" (Genesis 49:20). From Moses the blessing is "His feet will be dipped in the richest oils" (Deuteronomy 33:24).

To Joseph Jacob said "A charming son is Joseph. He will stand above all his brothers" (Genesis 49:26). While Moses blessed him with this: "A special blessing upon the crown of Joseph, who was isolated from his brothers" (Deuteronomy 33:16).

To Z'vulun Jacob blessed "He will dwell at the shore and sail ships" (Genesis 49:13). Moses blessed "Z'vulun, enjoy your travels and your shipping business" (Deuteronomy 33:18).

To Gad Jacob blessed "Your enemy will be under your heel" (Genesis 49:19). While Moses blessed him by saying "Tearing off the arm and head of your enemy" (Deuteronomy 33:20).

Q: Jacob blessed one of his children by having his descendants be great scholars and judges. Which one of his children was this? How do we learn this??

A: Issachar received this blessing. Jacob blessed the tribe with L'mas Oved (Genesis 49:15), which means that they would be blessed in the future as spiritual leaders, taking responsibility for the rules. They would become decision makers regarding matters of the Bible (Rashi, Genesis 49:16). It is said that two hundred of Issachar's children became heads in religious courts.

Q: What did Jacob prophesy to the tribe of Dan?

A: Samson was a grandson of Dan. Jacob prophesized that Samson would knock over the pillars and bring down everyone who was sitting on the roof, like the snake that encircles the leg of the horse, causing the rider to be thrown off, even though the snake does not bite the rider directly (Rashi, Genesis 49:17). We learn this from the prophetic words of Jacob: "Dan will be a snake on the main road... that bites a horse's heel so that its rider falls backward."

Q: How did Jacob predict Samson's life would end?

A: "For your redemption do I long G-d..." Jacob prophesied that the Philistines would poke out Samson's eyes "please remember me, and please give me strength at this time" (Rashi, Genesis 49:18).

Q: "Joseph, son protective of the eye" (Genesis 49:22). What did Jacob mean by this?

A: According to the sages, this statement describes Joseph's actions when he was only six years old. Joseph stood in front of his mother, Rachel, in order to protect her from the gaze of Esau, who wanted to take her from his brother Jacob as one of his wives (Rashi, Genesis 9:22).

Q: According to Unkelus, why did Joseph merit a prophetic dream?

A: Joseph followed the way of G-d and observed G-d's commands as a prisoner and later as a minister in Egypt (Unkelus, Genesis 49:24).

Q: Did Jacob bless all of his children?

A: Yes. Even though Jacob rebukes his children, he still blesses all of them (Rashi, Genesis 49:28). The Bible says, "Jacob finished blessing his sons and put his feet up on the bed. He departed and was joined to his people" (Genesis 49:33).

Q: What do the sages teach us from this verse "he departed and was joined to his people" (Genesis 49:33)?

A: Because it is not written explicitly that Jacob died, the sages say it means that Jacob never tasted death (Babylonian Talmud, Ta;anit 5b).

Q: Why did Joseph need permission from Pharaoh to bury his father in the land of Canaan?

A: Although Joseph was Pharaoh's decision maker he still thought it would be difficult for Pharaoh if he left the land of Egypt. Pharaoh was worried that maybe Joseph would stay in the land of Canaan (Chizkuni). In order to go to Canaan, Joseph would need a horse and a wagon. No horse and wagon was allowed to leave Egypt without the permission of King Pharaoh (Mincha Balula). On the day that Jacob died, the Egyptian exile began. Consequently, Joseph did not have the same authority he had had before, so he needed Pharaoh's permission (Yalkut Ma'am Loez).

Q: When Jacob blessed his children, which ones did he compare to other species?

A: Jacob compared some of this children to other species because they seemed to have similar traits. He saw Judah as a lion cub; Issachar was compared to a strong-boned donkey; Dan was as a serpent; Naphtali like a deer; Joseph was compared to an ox; and Benjamin was seen as a wolf.

Q: How did Jacob's funeral and burial proceed?

A: Joseph sent messengers to Pharaoh informing him of his father's death. Joseph asked and received permission from Pharaoh to go to the land of Canaan to bury his father. The funeral procession was to be as follows; Joseph was to lead, followed by Pharaoh's dignitaries and the elders from the house of Jacob. Then came the elders from Egypt, Joseph's people and his servants. Jacob's sons followed with their flags in the order specified in a previous answer. Jacob's people and his servants came next, followed by the wagons carrying his belongings and horsemen befitting a man of distinction.

In a place called Goren Haatad, the mourners lamented for seven days, and all the Ishmaelite princes and kings took their crowns and put them on Jacob's casket (Talmud Sotah 13a). As was answered previously, only Jacob's sons were to carry the casket with Menashe and Ephraim substituting for Levy and Joseph. Jacob was buried in the Cave of Machpelah. After the funeral and the mourning period, the whole procession returned to Egypt.

Q: After Jacob's death, why did Joseph's brothers become fearful that Joseph's attitude towards them had changed?

A: Before Jacob's death, Joseph frequently invited his brothers to dine with him at the table, but after Jacob's death the invitations ceased. The invitations ceased not because Joseph had changed his feelings toward his brothers, but because he chose to protect them from the Egyptians who would feel that the Hebrews were gaining in power and influence. However, the brothers felt Joseph would now seek revenge on them. Rashi says that even had Joseph wanted to do this the Almighty would have prevented that from happening.

Q: How long did it take from the time that Jacob passed away until they buried him in the Cave of Machpilah?

A: Seventy days. They spent forty days embalming his body and thirty days crying for him (Rashi, Genesis 50:3).

Q: What special orders did Jacob give regarding his funeral?

A: Jacob gave his children specific instructions on how the funeral procession should be organized. He told his sons how his casket should be held. where they should stop along the way from Egypt to his grave site in the Holy Land, and on which side each tribe should stand and plant its flag (Rashi, Genesis 50:13).

Q: After Jacob died, why did Joseph's brothers become afraid of him, and how did Joseph calm their fears?

Q: After Jacob passed away, Joseph stayed away from his brothers. The brothers worried that Joseph planned to take revenge. Joseph told them that they had nothing to fear: "If I wanted to do something I would have done it years before. I am not G-d. Even if I wanted to hurt you I could not do it. If I did something to harm you, the Egyptians would think that I lied to them by telling them that you were my brothers. How can one brother kill another?" (Babylonian Talmud, Magilah 16b)

Q: Were Joseph's brothers fears justified?

A: Joseph stopped inviting his brothers to dine with him because when Jacob was alive, he insisted that Joseph sit at the head of the table. Now with Jacob's death and his having blessed Judah with the future kingdom, and with Reuven as the firstborn, Joseph felt uncomfortable sitting at the head of the table. On the other hand, Egyptians still recognized Joseph as an authority figure, so it would not be right for him not to sit at the head of the table. Following Jacob's death, the Egyptians animosity towards the Hebrews began. Joseph knew that if he invited his brothers to dine with him, it would only increase the Egyptians ill will.

Q: The Bible states, "Raised on the knee of Joseph" (Genesis 50:23). What does this mean?

A: It means that Joseph was blessed to be given the opportunity to raise his grandchildren (Rashi).

Q: How old was Joseph when he died?

A: Joseph was 110 years old (Genesis 50:26).

This concludes the Book of Genesis/Bereishit

It is a worldwide custom that when the Torah reader finishes the last sentence of each one of the five books of Moses, the entire congregation stands and encourages one another with the following proclamation:

"CHAZAK CHAZAK V'NITCHAZEK!"

(STRENGTH, STRENGTH.. AND BECOME STRONG)

Shabbat Schedule for January 9-10, 2009/13-14 Tevet 5769

Candle lighting 4:44PM

Kabbalat Shabbos 4:30PM

Shacharit Shabbos 9:00AM

Shabbos Mincha After kiddush

Shabbos ends 5:46PM

Parsha of the Week:

Vayechi (Genesis 47:28- 50:26; Haftorah I Kings 2:1-12)

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