Parshas Vayechi 5767

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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Jacob and his sons settled in Egypt for the last seventeen years of his life. Jacob had not enjoyed a very peaceful life. Now, after all the difficulties he had endured, Jacob finally enjoyed the last years of his life with all his children and grandchildren.

As Jacob felt his end approaching, he instructed Joseph to bury his remains near those of his parents in Canaan. Although the Egyptians would have preferred for Jacob to be buried in Egypt, for he had brought blessing to their land, Jacob made Joseph swear that he would not do so. He did not want his grave to be worshipped as a shrine.

Jacob awarded Joseph the double portion inheritance reserved for the firstborn. Joseph's sons, Menashe and Ephraim, would be considered two separate tribes, thereby receiving two portions in the Promised Land. Although Reuven was Jacob’s firstborn, he had lost that privilege because Jacob felt he acted too impulsively after Rachel’s passing, when he moved his father’s bed to his mother Leah’s tent. Jacob felt he was lacking leadership qualities.

Joseph brought his two sons to receive Jacob’s blessings before he died. Joseph situated Menashe, the firstborn, to the right of Jacob, and Ephraim, the younger son, to his left. Jacob, however, crossed his arms and placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, and his left hand on Menashe.

Joseph tried to correct his father, but Jacob refused. He explained that although Menashe was the older son, and was also destined for greatness, Ephraim was destined for leadership, as his descendant Joshua would be the successor to Moshe. He was therefore deserving of the greater blessing.

Jacob’s blessings to Ephraim and Menashe remain unique until today. It is customary for many people to bless their sons, “May you be like Ephraim and Menashe.” One reason for this is because although the greater blessing was given to the younger son, Ephraim, we find no jealousy between the two brothers. It is the prayer of every parent that this trait be fulfilled with our own children too. Another reason for using Joseph’s sons as a blessing is because Ephraim and Menashe were both raised in the palace of Pharaoh, in an environment foreign to Jacob’s ideals. Nevertheless, they remained faithful and committed to the way their father wanted. We aspire to similar results with our own children, too.

Jacob blessed all of his sons before his passing. He pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of each of his sons, and where they should concentrate their efforts. These traits were ingrained into the nature of each of the tribes, and would be reflected in many instances throughout Scriptures.

“...The time approached for Israel to die . .” (Gen. 47:29)

Shortly before Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gordon, the Rosh Yeshiva of Lomza, passed away, a couple of prominent rabbis came to visit him. Although he was very ill, he showed a cheery disposition, even humoring his esteemed guests. When the rabbis left, one remarked to the other, “I’m amazed at Rav Gordon’s disposition. I guess he doesn’t realize how sick he really is…”

His companion disagreed. “To the contrary,” he replied, “Don’t you see? Rav Gordon deliberately lightened the atmosphere because he knows how serious his situation is, and he didn’t want us to be frightened or saddened.”

Did You Know...

There is a mitzvah to offer words of eulogy for the deceased. The eulogy is considered an honor to both the deceased and to the family, and according to our tradition the deceased is able to hear the eulogies said upon him. For this reason, although it is permitted to exaggerate the praises of the deceased a little, since no person really knows all of another person’s good deeds, one may not lie about the deceased as it brings him great shame.

There is also a mitzvah to assist in the burial of the deceased. This is called a true kindness, since it is done without any thoughts of repayment.