Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts - Va-Yechi - 1.1.2010

JThis week’s parsha is an amazing closure to the first book of the Torah and has several moments that literally still live with us to this day.

Jacob dies in this week’s portion. He blesses his children. What is interesting is that the blessings do not just include hopes and positives for his kids but also addresses many of their mistakes and character flaws. From a practical point of view this may so people understand the positions of the tribes in the future. But I also feel that this reminds us once again that our imperfections are a part of our blessing and in fact part of our Judaism.

The book of Genesis tells many stories of evolution. These evolutionary steps take us from Abraham to the seeds of Israel, from familial feuds and distrust to a family coming together, and from the first steps of the covenant to the rewards and challenges of living our life within the code. All of these transitions are shown. We also see Jewish leadership and action in the world move from being one that allows respect in the world (Abraham) to literally being able to make a difference and save the world (Joseph). So in its final story of evolution Jacob wants to make sure these lessons are implanted in his family and he gives them this with his blessings. Blessing both their strengths and their challenges making sure that they (and we know) that these attributes both make up part of the personal and Jewish identity and evolution.

Two special moments to mention in the words of this weeks parsha:

1) This is where the blessings over the children that we say on Shabbat comes from. It is always a special to be able to look at our children each week and bless them and be appreciative of them. We should take each week and remind our children that we have hopes for them, we are proud of them and we are grateful for both who they are and what they will be.

2) In his blessing Jacob also is clearly concerned that his family continues the legacy of our forefathers. His concerns come though as well as his hopes. His sons reply with one of the key phrases in Jewish Practice today, “Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad" - "Hear O Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is One!". They are saying we hear you Dad and we will continue the work you have done. His response “Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto Le'Olam Va'Ed" - "Blessed is the Name of His glorious Kingdom forever and ever" express the gratitude of knowing that lessons have been passed and that he too is part of something immortal and beyond him. Each day we are given an opportunity with our prayers and actions to remember that we are part of something larger and more connected. The next opportunity you have to say the shema think of the affirmation of faith, action and legacy it represents from this weeks parsha.

So this week we should remember that we are part of a legacy and a chain. One that requires action and therefore mistakes and that these strengths and weakness are part of not only what makes us human, but also Jewish. We are part of the evolution that started in Genesis and as we can see from this week’s portion it is a complicated and wonderful journey. And we have an opportunity to further the evolution and remember the legacy everyday and that truly is a blessing from our forefathers.

Shabbat Shalom