Jewish Continuity... In Egypt - Vayechi

Jewish Continuity... In Egypt
Parshat Vayechi


"Vayechi Yakov Be'Eretz Mitzrayim-And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years". 

Thus, begins our Torah portion of Vayechi and the final chapters of our forefather Yakov's life. Of course, we are familiar with the fact that Yakov had arrived in Egypt due to the famine and his son Yosef's ability to take care of everyone, as he was viceroy to Pharaoh.

The Bal Ha'Turim (Rabbi Yaakov ben Raash ,1269-1343*) explains, that just as the word "Tov-Good" in Hebrew has the numerical value of 17 (Tet=9, Vov=6, Bet=2) so too, Yakov lived his "Tov-best" years in Egypt.

Other sages struggle with this explanation. How can it be that our forefather Yakov lived his"best" years in Egypt? What about the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael-land of Israel? What about the years with his parents Yitzchak & Rivkah and grandparents Avraham and Sarah? How could living in the most morally decrepit country and society of that time, be his most pleasurable and enjoyable time?

The simple answer is, that Yakov was finally surrounded by all his family, and that made life precious. 

My wife and I have been asked why we sent our children away to Yeshiva (Jewish High School). I must admit, it is one of the most difficult things we have done. We did not enjoy taking ur kids to the airport after their brief visits home. We wanted them home, with us, and not "just a phone call away". We were disturbed that they had to leave home at such a tender age. Yet, we were also amazed by the resilience of our wonderful children and so many other young kids who leave their home to study Torah. I continue to be awed and inspired by their understanding and depth of priorities. And yet, it is something far more difficult for them, than what we as parents go through. 

When our kids are home, life is truly wonderful! So why? Why the huge expenses? Why the heartache and worry? Why the distance and sending kids away at such a young age? Isn't it a bit extreme? Can't they go to study some Judaic studies after high school or college? 

The answer lies in another explanation of why Yakov lived the best years of his life Egypt. 

What is the purpose of life? Fame and success? Jews have lived on every continent and in every city and country imaginable. We have flourished and sometimes been persecuted. We have lived and died. But most importantly, we have passed on the Tradition and resolve, to have Judaism continue. Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof may have been a simple man, but he understood that as time changes and life moves on, so does the desire to assimilate and to leave old traditions behind. Our children are the key!

It is in our children and grandchildren, precisely, where we must put in our utmost focus and energy, making sure that they carry the torch of Yiddishkeit forward. Jewish education does not begin in college or in high school. It does not end after Pre-School or Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Chinuch (education) begins at birth and continues to expand and take on new dimensions, for a lifetime. The school years of a child however, are the most critical to this endeavor. They are the arena where we must battle for our survival. Arguably, once a child has completed their formative school years, the ship has left the dock.

When Yakov saw his children and grandchildren continuing the tradition and living as Jews, even in Egypt, it was truly "Tov", the best years of his life. He knew, with certainty, that he had succeed in building something far greater than himself and his limited reach. He had insured the future of Klal Yisrael-the Jewish people.

Each time I dropped off our children at the airport after another short visit, I swallowed the lump in my throat, and blessed them "May G-d make you life Ephraim & Menashe, like Sara, Rivka, Rachel and Leah". Although, we don't see all my kids every day, it is truly "Tov" - Good, for they give us immeasurable Nachas-Joy, as they study Torah, live as Jews and now raise their children in the traditions of our people.

Shabbat Shalom