Parsha Vayechi
January 3, 2026/14 Tevet 5786
You might have trouble finding this parsha in the Torah scroll this week. That is because unlike other parshaot where there is a requisite nine-character spacing between them, there is no such space for our parsha of Vayechi. The Midrash addresses this question with a number of different explanations, the one I will introduce here is that the lack of spacing is to indicate that the section is “closed” thereby indicating that something is hidden. It is said that Jacob knew prophetically when the Messiah would come and he wished to impart that knowledge to his children on his deathbed. But it was not to be so, and when the time came in this parsha, G-d would not allow him to speak it.
One could ask, why would G-d prevent us from knowing when the Messiah is coming? Would not that be information that provides us hope while in exile? One answer is that it would also prevent us from yearning for the Messiah, for struggling to bring it, from praying, and from taking action. After all, if we know it is coming, we can just sit back on the couch, watch a movie, or play candy crush on our phones!
We see this also in the terminology used in describing Jacob at the end. It says “the days approached for Israel to die” an unusual sentence for which the Midrash gives the explanation that Jacob did not in fact die in the conventional sense. There are multiple levels on which to understand this, but as I see it, Jacob progresses to bless his righteous grandchildren and children. Through his children (us), the story of the Torah continues. Just as the children of Israel did not know the day of the impending Messiah, we do not know our future. But just as Jacob prepared his children, we too work for them, instruct them, bless them, and pray for them.
The passing of the baton from Jacob (Israel) to the nation of Israel, carries the sense of turning the page. As long as Jacob’s children lived, slavery did not begin in Egypt. But with the beginning of our slavery in Egypt also begins the story of our nationhood. This parsha completes our first book of the Torah, but also begins a new one. It is the Ashkenazic tradition to say upon finishing a book “chazak, chazak, v’nizchazek” meaning “be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened.” Finishing a chapter takes courage, starting a new chapter can take even more.
This week I will be opening up a new desk calendar. While this is not of Jewish significance, any opportunity to take strength from new challenges is a good thing and should be harnessed. I also happen to be starting a new book of the Talmud. So go ahead and start a new Torah study program, hit the gym or go for a run, learn to speak Klingon, or read that book on nuclear physics you didn’t make the time for. Greatness comes from new things!
Best wishes for another trip around the sun.
Rabbi Josh
One could ask, why would G-d prevent us from knowing when the Messiah is coming? Would not that be information that provides us hope while in exile? One answer is that it would also prevent us from yearning for the Messiah, for struggling to bring it, from praying, and from taking action. After all, if we know it is coming, we can just sit back on the couch, watch a movie, or play candy crush on our phones!
We see this also in the terminology used in describing Jacob at the end. It says “the days approached for Israel to die” an unusual sentence for which the Midrash gives the explanation that Jacob did not in fact die in the conventional sense. There are multiple levels on which to understand this, but as I see it, Jacob progresses to bless his righteous grandchildren and children. Through his children (us), the story of the Torah continues. Just as the children of Israel did not know the day of the impending Messiah, we do not know our future. But just as Jacob prepared his children, we too work for them, instruct them, bless them, and pray for them.
The passing of the baton from Jacob (Israel) to the nation of Israel, carries the sense of turning the page. As long as Jacob’s children lived, slavery did not begin in Egypt. But with the beginning of our slavery in Egypt also begins the story of our nationhood. This parsha completes our first book of the Torah, but also begins a new one. It is the Ashkenazic tradition to say upon finishing a book “chazak, chazak, v’nizchazek” meaning “be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened.” Finishing a chapter takes courage, starting a new chapter can take even more.
This week I will be opening up a new desk calendar. While this is not of Jewish significance, any opportunity to take strength from new challenges is a good thing and should be harnessed. I also happen to be starting a new book of the Talmud. So go ahead and start a new Torah study program, hit the gym or go for a run, learn to speak Klingon, or read that book on nuclear physics you didn’t make the time for. Greatness comes from new things!
Best wishes for another trip around the sun.
Rabbi Josh
