A Soulful Journey

Of Jacob the Torah says, Vayikravu y'mie Israel l'moot, "And the days of Israel approach death." Of Moses, Writ states,  Hayn karvu yamekha l'loot, "Your days are drawing near to die." Of David, it says, V ayikravu y'mei David l'moot, "And the days of David drew towards death." Shimon ben Lakish commented: The "days" of the righteous will come to a close but they do not.

  “And the days drew near that Israel must die.”     (Genesis 47:29) Rabbi Hiyya said: Here in the mention of death, the name Israel is written while above, speaking of his life, it is written, “And Jacob lived…” (Genesis 47:28).  Why is this?  Rabbi Yossi replied, “Look at the word “days.”  Is this not strange as a person does not die on a day but rather in an instant?" The reason it reads like this is when God decides to receive a person’s spirit, soul, He reviews all the days in a man’s life in this world.  And happy is the one whose days draw near to pass before the King without blame…:   -Zohar  

Here is Rebbe Aaron’s commentary on Jacob’s ladder as described in the Torah as standing on the earth with its tip in the heavens: “Let man stand erect, his feet solidly planted on the ground and his head will touch the sky.”

In an Iroquois story, twins -- Plant Boy and Flint are born.  Flint in being born damages the mother so that she dies.  Flint kills the animals: he is the hunting tradition.  Plant Boy is the agrarian principle.  - Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth In Torah, Jacob and Esau represents both extremes: one is the hunter and the other is the farmer. The same can be said for Cain and Abel earlier in the Torah. Maybe the same can be said for the members of your family.

"The Lord answers on the day of trouble for the Name of the God of Jacob set you (Ps 20)." Why does it say the “God of Jacob” and not the “God of Abraham?”   To teach that the owner of the beam should us the thickest parts as support.   -Berachot 64a In life, rely on supports that are sure not to give way, whose strength will not surrender or collapse when you need them most.

“Rachel gave voice to the definite words of despair, “Give me children.   If not, let me die!”   Her husband Jacob was angry that she asked for a miracle: “Shall I take God’s place?”   But rabbinic tradition did not approve of his response.   According to one sage, God replied: “Is that how you answer someone who cries in distress?”   - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks , 1981 Anger destroys. It is not constructive, most emphatically among people who love one another.

When Moses approached the Burning Bush, he heard God saying, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.”   Why the redundancy?   The reference to the “God of your father,” may answer the question.   There were four men who saw God, each one in a different light.   Abraham had his understanding of God, Isaac had his, as did Jacob and Moses’ own father.   Moses was being challenged to do the same.   What was his response?   “Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” –unknown Each of us will apprehend God in our own manner, according to our willingness, openness and ability.  

It is not a birthday cake or big party.  It is not a haftara or speech.  It is all about reaching the age of personal responsibility.  Here is the text: "And the boys grew." -Genesis 25:27 Rabbi Pinchas said in the name of Rabbi Levi, "They were like a myrtle and wild rose growing side by side; When they grew to maturity, one yielded fragrance and the other thorns. So for 13 years both went to and from school. Afterward, one went to the Beit Midrash (House of Study) and the other went to idolatrous shrines." Said Rabbi Elazar ben Shimon: "A man is responsible for his son until he is 13.  Then he must say, "Blessed is he who has freed me from the responsibility of this one.." - Beresheet Rabbah 63:10

Rav Dimi said that he believed Hillel and Shammai were brothers.  In their lives Hillel was the scholar while Shammai was a businessman.   Rav Dimi also stated that Jacob's sons, Issachar studied at yeshiva and Zevulun went to sea to become a merchant. Both were partners in the world and the next. - Yalkut Shimoni 160 Affording others to travel their own path, knowing they are individuals who do not share our interests while still maintaining love with them is what God wants and expects of us.