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December 20, 2002/Tevet 15 5763, Vol. 55, No. 17
Jacob continues to live through us
Torah study
RABBI MENDY DEITSCH
Vayechi/Genesis 47:28-50:26
This week we conclude the reading of the first of the five books of Moses, the book of Genesis. It begins with creation and ends with the passing of Jacob, providing us with inspiration, motivation and direction with stories about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. Covering a span of about 2,255 years, it has a major impact on the way we live our lives today.
The name of this week's Torah portion is Vayechi, "life." Throughout the five books of Moses, we find that the name of the portion reflects the theme of that portion. (Beireisheet, "Creation;" Noach, "the flood," etc.)
However, when it comes to the portion that deals with the passing of Jacob and the events surrounding it, we call it Vayechi Yaakov, the "life of Jacob."
Why? What does Jacob represent that the Torah refers to his death by the term "life"?
The Talmud (Taanit 5b) states that Jacob did not die. The Talmud then asks, how could that be? He was buried, eulogized, and we mourned his death. The Talmud answers that just like his children are alive, so too is he alive.
Jacob, unlike his father and grandfather before him, had the merit of seeing that all his children grew up exactly as he had wanted; each and every one of the founders of the 12 tribes was outstanding, generous, kind, good and God-fearing. Abraham had only one son, Isaac, who followed in his path. Isaac as well only had one son, Jacob, who followed in the path of Torah.
The Torah is teaching us where we see the true life of Jacob. When we look at his children and see that they are not only good, outstanding citizens, but that they are following the path that Jacob had set out before them, to follow the ways of the Torah, they are living his legacy.
This is a true symbol of life, a life beyond the years lived here on earth, a memory and a deed that is carried out far beyond Jacob's personal capabilities and limitations.
This is also perhaps why we all spend so much time trying to understand the meaning and significance of life, why we have such a drive to live and to survive. We are attempting to live a fulfilling life, rich with meaning, importance, significance - a life that can make a difference for us, our family and the world around us.
There was a Hassid that received a blessing from his teacher - the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the author of the Tanya and the code of Jewish law - that he should merit to live a long life. He said "thank you" but hoped that it should not be a simple life but a life of meaning and spiritual growth.
How do we find life and vitality? By the mitzvot we do. A good deed lasts forever, every mitzvah that we perform, whether it is large or small, difficult or easy. If it is a fulfillment of the will of God, it will impact the world beyond in just the time that it takes to perform it.
Similarly Jacob's death and the events surrounding it are referred to with the term "life," for Jacob's true legacy and memory and life's ambitions will always live on eternally through us, his children, if we live an exemplary life, a life where every moment is dedicated to perfecting the world.
May we merit the time where the world will reach a state of perfection with the coming of Moshiach (the Messiah). May it be speedily in our time.
Rabbi Mendy Deitsch is director of Chabad of the East Valley, a Jewish outreach organization, and spiritual leader of a Chabad synagogue, a traditional Jewish congregation.
Jewish News invites local rabbis to present commentaries on the weekly Torah portion.
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