Parshat Vayechi

Highlights of the Parsha:
Yosef promises to bury Yakov in the land of Israel
Yakov blessing to Efraim and Menashe and thereafter to all his sons
Yakov dies
Yosef dies


Thoughts:
"And Yakov lived". Why isn't the word "death" used in connection with Yaakov? In fact, the Parsha, which recounts Yaakov's death, is entitled "Vayechi" ("and he lived"). Taanis 56 teaches that there are two deaths -- a physical death and the end of one's influence and impact on the world. For many people, the two are simultaneous. However, in Yaakov's case, he accomplished so much during his lifetime that his influence and impact survive even to this day. We should strive to accomplish something worthwhile during our lives so that our achievements will live on.

Why do parents bless their sons that they should be like Efrayim and Menashe? Efrayim and Menashe were singled out during the blessing of the sons for two reasons: (a) they were the only members of Yaakov's family born in "golus" (exile); despite the competing temptations of golus, they remained true to Hashem's principles; (b) they are emulated for their lack of envy for each other (e.g., Menasheh was not jealous that Efrayim received a greater blessing).
Yaakov blessed Yehudah that "your eyes will be red with wine and your teeth white with milk" (i.e., the land will be fertile so that it would produce an abundance of wine and milk). The Talmud teaches that "teeth white with milk" can be read to mean that when one shows his teeth (by smiling) to another, it is better than giving him milk; while milk nourishes the body, a smile enters the mind and body. (Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)

"And he blessed Yosef and he said, Oh G-d before whom my forefathers Abraham and Yitzchak walked -- G-d who shepherds me from my inception to this day -- may the Angel who redeems me from all evil bless the lads and may my name be declared upon them and the names of my forefathers Abraham and Yitzchak and may they proliferate abundantly like fish within the land." The Chatam Sofer notes that while seeming to bless Yosef, Yaakov in reality blessed Yosef's children. This reminds us of the beautiful Aggadah in which Rabbi Yitzchak, having enjoyed the shades of a tree, sought to bless it. Since the tree was already blessed with Hashem's bounty, he could only bestow upon it a wish: may your seed be like you. Similarly, Yosef, blessed with all of his heart's desires, was granted the bracha that his children follow in his path. The phrase "and may my name be declared upon name" may express Yaakov's most sublime wish: just as I merited to have as worthy son as you, so may your children enjoy such outstanding children.