VOLUME 118 NUMBER 12
Teves 13, 5786
January 2, 2026
Parshas Vayechi
Candlelighting Time 4:29
After the nation settled in Goshen Yaakov lived out the remainder of his life there. The parsha is written in such a fashion as to indicate that it is disconnected from the previous parsha. Rashi cites the Midrash that this alludes to the lack of perception that befell the people after Yaakov’s death as the encumbrance of the impending exile began to impact them.
K’sav Sofer notes that our Sages teach us that as long as the sons of Yaakov were alive the exile did not begin. Yet, the Midrash seems to contradict that stating that when Yaakov died it began. Furthermore, Rashi’s explanation that the eyes and hearts of the people began to falter, that their perception of how to conduct themselves began to waver, is not mentioned in the actual text of the Midrash. What was Rashi’s intent in adding that phrase to the Midrash?
K’sav Sofer presents an interesting understanding of the Midrash and course of events in our nation throughout hundreds of years. There are two kinds of exile that prevail amongst us. One is the obvious excommunication of our very existence, we are hounded and banished from the secular society that surrounds us. Also, there are times when we are faced with a spiritual dilemma causing us to make importance decisions about our religiosity. The marked difference is that when we are confronted with challenges to our physical being then we struggle to maintain our connection to Hashem seeking comfort and succor in those times of need. Our spiritual challenges leave us open to assimilation due to our acceptance by the nations around us as long as we acclimate to their culture. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that we will indeed compromise to maintain that symbiosis that has been established.
Indeed, the actual beginning of enslavement did not occur as long as Yaakov and his sons were living. Their presence was of such nobility and aristocracy that the Egyptians honored and valued their residing in their midst. The stature of the sons of Yaakov was so notable that they were not enticed by the Egyptian culture and its appealing glamour. However, that could not be said about their children. Although we may assume that they were also of illustrious stature, nonetheless, they were not as careful not to be drawn into the circle of the upper crust of the accompanying population. There was a measure of integration that had not taken place by their parents. This is the point of the Midrash as explained by Rashi that their eyes and hearts were closed by the impending exile. In other words, due to the comfort zone of their parents that they were not threatened with the associated Egyptian nation they did not take precautions to shield themselves from the impending danger that was certainly noticeable if they would have perceived it. However, they were not wary of this problem until it was too late. Idol worship began to invade our people and slowly but surely the practice of mitzvos became obsolete and even bris milah was no longer observed. The allure of paganism captured the hearts and the souls of our nation.
Perhaps we think that the compromising situation that existed then thousands of years ago cannot be repeated. However, the old dictum states that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We live in a time and state of mind where we depend on the powers to be to protect us and watch over us. Sounds kind of familiar! Maybe this time it is not the Egyptian empire but the American vaulted shield. Let us not fall prey to the brilliance of the culture surrounding us but rather look upward for our salvation.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
The tribe of Zevulun supported the tribe of Yissochur so that they could learn without concern for their livelihood. In essence Yissochur received two portions, their own and the one that they received from Zevulun. Similarly, The days of the week receive their ‘sustenance’ from Shabbos, the source of all blessing. Therefore, we prepare for Shabbos with a double allotment of challah. S’FAS EMES
GOOD SHABBOS
