In the Torah, eyes are often the source of vitality. Moses is described at the end of Deuteronomy as having eyes that had yet to dim. Jacob, on the other hand, is described this week in Parashat Vayechi as having eyes full of age (kavdo mizaken). Jacob, as a character, is never young. Not when he cooks stew for Esau as a teenager, nor as a young man working fourteen years for his beloved Rachel. His eyes are heavy with the burden of expectations, trying his best to fulfill the promise of his grandparents, Abraham and Sarah.
The age of our eyes is not determined by our actual age. Ever look into a baby’s eyes and see a knowing, sentient being with much more wisdom than just a few years of life? Or see a Nonagenarian with youthful eyes? We must look beyond age as mere number and see both the youthful and seasoned soul lying underneath. I visited Peter Simon a few week’s before his death. His eyes still sparkled with joy and love. May we all be so lucky to have young eyes for as long as we possibly can.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex
“Fools”
Don’t get fooled by my baby eyes
I’m so much more than my age implies
Years alone don’t make you wise
I’m so much more than my age implies
Don’t get fooled by my wrinkled eyes
I’m so much more than my age implies
A young soul still inside resides
I’m so much more than my age implies
Whether old or young, or in between
All we want is to be seen
As a fully realized human being