ON THE PARSHA
          Parshas Va'Yechi

          by Dovid Lipman, Jerusalem


The World Of The Supernatural

     (49:9) "Yehuda is a young lion..." Rashi explains that
this, similar to many of Yaakov's other statements, referred
to the tribe's future, in this case Dovid HaMelech. The Ba'al
HaTurim and Da'as Zekainim both note that the first letters
of the three words add up to fourteen in gematria, the same
as the word "Dovid".

A Time To Laugh

     (48:18) "And Yoseif said to his father, 'Father, not
like this..." Why did he think Yaakov erred? Simply, it was
because the gemara (Eruv. 54b) says one should have the most
important of as threesome walk at center, with the second to
his right and the least at the left. So Yoseif normally had
the eldest at his right, which was Yaakov's left. Now, for
the blessings, Yoseif switched them for Yaakov's convenience,
and he assumed Yaakov switched his hands because he didn't
expect Yoseif to switch their positions. Still, though, why
didn't Yoseif realize that Yaakov would know what he was
doing, in any case? The nature of a parent is to consider
their children inept (from first impression, presumably).
So Yoseif figured, "I may be ruling the country, but my father
still thinks I can't do anything right."

Worthy Of Note

     (47:29) "Do for me a kindness and a truth: do not bury
me in Egypt." What does "a kindness and a truth" imply? Rashi
brings the Midrash that kindness to the dead is true kindness,
but the language of the pasuk implies that the terms are
parallel, meaning "this and also this", rather than one
describing the other. Perhaps it is meant to relate to the
two opposite points of view we maintain - between man and man
and between man and Hashem. "Truth" implies something that's
only fair - deserved - so Yaakov demanded that since Yoseif
brought Yaakov to Egypt, he must return him as well. But
from a Providential point of view, Yaakov knew that if he
was brought there, that was Hashem's will regardless of what
Yoseif did, and in that case, Yoseif should not have to undo
it. So, Yaakov summarized, to me what is "a kindness and a
truth" -- both true, only depending on how you look at it.

From the Gemara

     (49:13) Pesachim 4a - A man used to say, "I'd love to
build my dream house by the sea. They checked and found he
was from Zevulun, just as it says, "Zevulun shall dwell by
the seas."
     (48:15-16) Pesachim 118a - A person's financial means
are "more difficult" to provide than the redemption, as
hinted here: "Taking care of me" requires "Hashem" himself,
but "Redeeming" can be handled by "the angel".
     (49:21) Sota 11 - The "good words" Naftali brought are
the document to the cave of Machpeila, which Yaakov's sons
needed to prevent Eisav from taking Yaakov's spot in the
cave. [It is interesting that this pasuk is used to say it,
for according to the gemara, the argument was concluded
before Naftali arrived with the document.]

Rare And Unusual Words

     (49:4) "Pachaz" The literal meaning is "hastiness", but
the gemara (Shab. 55b) leanrs from the letters a three word
rebuke - "Pasa'ta al das, CHatasa, Zanisa" - you trampled
the law, you sinned, you acted immorally.