Vayichi

VAYECHI, And He Lived

When some one great passes from this world it is insufficient to say they died. Their vitality and contributions to the richness of life is long-lasting. Their values, principles and teachings live on in generations yet to be born.

That is why like Mother Sarah, Father Jacob’s passing begins with the words, “And he lived.”

There is an anomaly in this week’s Torah portion. It is not separated from last week’s Torah portion. That is, there is no space between the end of last week’s parsha and the beginning of this week’s parsha.

In the Amida and other prayers we invoke the names of the progenitors of our faith, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The fact that there is no separation between their lives the new beginning of the Israelite nation teaches that the chain of tradition remains unbroken from the patriarchs and matriarchs and the new chapter of Joseph and the subsequent enslavement in Egypt.

So may it be said of us when we are ready to depart this world that our teachings, our integrity, our practice and transmission of Torah has created a lasting impression that changes the world for better.

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