Life And Blessings: Jacob’s Final Bequest

 Life And Blessings: Jacob’s Final Bequest

D’var Torah for Parashat Vayechi

By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman

January 4, 2023

The first book of the Torah, Genesis, comes to its moving and satisfying conclusion with the portions for last week and this week (Va-yigash, “And [Judah] Approached,” Genesis 44:18-47:27 and Va-yechi, “And [Jacob] Lived,” Genesis 47:28-50:26). 

In Vayigash, the story of Joseph and his brothers reaches its emotional denouement. Judah takes the courageous actions necessary to bring about reconciliation between the brothers. Life has taught him bitter lessons, and he finally realizes the damage and hurt he had caused his father, Jacob, and the entire family when he suggested selling Joseph into slavery. Joseph forgives Judah, offering a theological explanation: “Let it not trouble you that you sold me here, for it was to preserve life that God sent me before you… God sent me before you to make for you a remnant in the land, and to preserve you for a great deliverance.” 

This explanation is hard to accept for a contemporary reader, especially in light of Jewish history. The fact remains that Judah and his brothers committed a grave sin. Joseph’s rationalization that it was all God’s doing not only lets the brothers off the hook, it also leads us to infer that bad things in life are brought about by God—all for a good reason, we assume. While some agree with this reasoning and may even find it somewhat comforting, for others it represents a huge leap of faith.

Yet somehow, Judah’s actions combined with Joseph’s faith remain the ultimate touchstones of Jewish belief. We hope, we believe, but we don’t just wait for miracles: we make them happen.

In the final portion of Genesis, Va-yechi, a dying Jacob bestows his final blessings upon his children. Jacob understands the difficulty of reconciling the two faith philosophies that Judah and Joseph represent. He appoints Judah as leader for his people: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet.” At the same time, however, he heaps loving praise on Joseph and his two sons (Ephraim and Manasseh, whom Jacob adopts as his own). Love and devotion, as well as steadfast commitment to a future vision, characterize Jacob, the most complex and realistic of the three Patriarchs.

Wise and practical simultaneously, Jacob understands the differences and diversity shown by his children. Each receives a specific blessing; each is recognized for his unique qualities and abilities. But at the same time, Jacob’s blessings unite them into one people: B’nai Yisrael—the Children of Israel. The greatness of Jacob is made manifest in these last moments of his life. As he dies, he gives life to a new nation. It is through his children and future descendants that Jacob’s life and traditions continue to this day. 

© 2023 by Boaz D. Heilman