There is something difficult about coming to the end of Genesis. Not only do we have to say goodbye to the wonderful characters of the inaugural book of the Torah, but the path ahead is long and difficult. While the book of Genesis ends in a triumphant place with the reunion of the sons of Jacob and peace and prosperity between Egypt and the Children of Israel, Exodus will begin with a very different tone. Soon all the goodwill built up by the heroism of Joseph will be forgotten, and a new generation will rise who is filled with hate and fear of our ancestors.
That is why I appreciate the name of this week’s Torah portion as much as I do. Vayechi, meaning “and he lived,” refers to Jacob living in Egypt for seventeen years before his death. In Biblical Hebrew the word is in past tense. But, in modern Hebrew, it is in future tense as in, “he will live.” Despite the hardships we will face, he, meaning Jacob, and he, meaning the Children of Israel, will endure. No matter our circumstances in life, hard times are inevitable. We must prepare ourselves emotionally and spiritually for their arrival, without losing hope. We must be comfortable with the idea that things will not always go right.
I compare this feeling to my new appreciation for the cold. Living in Western New York, cold and dark winters are things we must come to accept. But, when I was a teenager living in Philadelphia, I was fearful of the weather when it dropped much below freezing. I remember bracing myself before heading off to school every winter. And, while it is a bit warmer in Philadelphia, it still can get very cold. So, when I arrived here in Western New York, I had to wean myself from this feeling of helplessness in the face of a frigid climate. In time, I have learned to endure it and even appreciate the cold. It wakes us up, toughens our spirits, gives us the hardiness this region is known for. So, even as I brace myself for a new chapter of our Biblical tradition just over the horizon, I am very much looking forward to the challenge of what lies ahead.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year,
Rabbi Alex