Parashat VaYechi is the last Parasha of Sefer Bereshit. It talks about the end of Yaakov’s life in Egypt. There are two Parashiot in the Torah that are named “Life” but really talk about death. The first is Parashat Chayei Sarah, that features the passing of Sarah Imeinu, and the second is this Parasha, Parashat VaYechi, which discusses Yaakov’s death. Perhaps we can say that the message that these two figures passed down to their children is the foundation block of our nation’s values.
In this parasha, before Yaakov passes away, he makes Yosef swear that he will bury him only in Eretz Yisrael. The burial location reminds the children of Yaakov where they will eventually return to after the exile in Egypt. Yaakov then gave a blessing to each and every son. Initially, he wanted to tell them what was going to happen to them in the future through his Ruach HaKodesh, but HaShem sealed his eyes and he was unable to. Instead, he focused on the strengths and the weaknesses of each of his sons, and left them each with advice fitting to their character traits.
We can definitely see the same thing with our beloved soldiers in Gaza, that are risking their lives for us. But, what’s really admirable are the letters that each soldier leaves before he goes out to Gaza. If you take a look at these letters, you will be amazed at how powerful and brave our beloved soldiers are. Without a doubt, we can definitely see that they are the children of Yaakov.
One of the blessings of Yaakov is to his two of his grandsons, the children of Yosef, Efraim and Menashe. Many parents bless their children with this very blessing every Friday night. This leads us to ask: Why is this blessing so special? Why is it more important than the other blessings given to Yehudah or Binyamin, or any of the other brothers? Why is this blessing so unique and significant, that we bless our children again and again with the same words, that G-d should make them like Efraim and Menashe?
This question is asked by many of the commentators, so naturally, there are many answers. One commentator answers that Efraim and Menashe dedicated themselves to taking care of their grandfather when he came to Egypt. Some say it is special because of the multiple languages that they knew. So, if someone wants their children to know many languages, they should be careful to say this Bracha.
The answer that I really connected states that Yosef went down to Egypt against his will. He got married with Osnat Bat Potiphera, who was a very important person in the Egyptian government. She gave him two children, Menashe and Efraim, who grew up in Egypt, a very goyish environment, far away from any supportive Jewish family. Their grandfather lived in Eretz Yisrael. They only heard some stories here and there about their grandfather. Despite their distance from Jewish influence and support, they were able to stay true to their values and traditions, even amongst the most impure of peoples. It’s not only that they were able to develop well far away from their family, but they were even able to reunite and integrate themselves into their extended family that they had not seen.
This is a blessing that every father needs to wish for his son, to have this spiritual flexibility. No matter where you are, to be able to fit in, and yet to stick with your core values, and grow further by not fearing the challenges around them.
This is the blessing that Yaakov blessed his grandchildren and asked that every father should also bless his children like this, to be like Efraim and Menashe, because that is the only way to survive so many years in Galut, and this the reason why we have survived until now, and we will continue to survive, and even thrive, forever, Amen. Am Yisrael Chai.
Wishing you a wonderful Shabbat.
Rabbi Tal