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| Rachel's Tomb in Bet Lechem Today |
For the Ilui Neshama of Avraham ben Ester ZT’L.
Sometimes Hashem organizes for us lifetime Nisyonot (spiritual tests). In this week’s Parasha, in the name of Rav
Katz (told to me by Rav Ashur in Yeshiva), we see Yosef who goes through a
pretty intense Nisayon. In the middle of Yaakov blessing Yosef’s sons, Ephraim
and Menashe, Yaakov brings up the death of Rachel Emenu. Rachel, who was
Yaakov’s Zivug and Yosef’s mother; was all Yaakov cared about in life. He loved
her so much that even after she died by giving birth to Binyamin, he moved his
bed to Rachel’s Pilegesh’s (Maidservant) tent instead of Leah’s tent (who was
on the higher level of wife).
After that incident, Reuven in fierce care for his mother’s
respect, moved Yaakov’s bed to Leah’s tent without questioning Yaakov.
In the beginning of the Parasha, Parashat VaYechi, Yaakov
makes Yosef swear that he will guarantee the burial of Yaakov to happen in
Eretz Yisrael by the other Avot, in Maharat HaMachpela. After swearing and
commencing the blessing of Yosef’s children, Yaakov brings up the love he has
for Yosef and his sons.
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| Where Yaakov Avinu is Buried TODAY |
But what was so difficult that showed Yosef was going
through a heavy Nisayon throughout the Beracha?! Rashi brings up that during
the mentioning of Rachel Emenu and her death in Bet Lechem, Yosef built a heavy
case on Yaakov. He did not understand how Yaakov simply buried Rachel in the
middle of nowhere! It was his mother, the mother that was most loved and cared
for! Rashi explains that Yaakov got a message through Ruach HaKodesh (prophecy, divine connection that gives the ability
to communicate with Shamayim) that Rachel had to be buried there specifically
and nowhere else. Also, Yaakov wants to see how Yosef will act. More than 30
years later Yaakov is in the final days of his life. He tests Yosef: “Will you
swear to me that you will make sure not to bury me in Mitzrayim and I will be
buried in Eretz Yisrael with my Avot?” Yosef agrees immediately.
Unlike Reuven who just acted without any ‘group meeting’ or
any case study, Yosef kept shut and did not
act. Therefore Yosef was the one who deserved the reward of carrying out the
legacy of Am Yisrael.
Yosef shows us what a Ma’alah
(degree, level) it is to stay patient. Even if it takes another day, 5 more
months, or even 30 years; Yosef shows us the way to follow the Emet (truth) and
to follow the right people. This also teaches us to realize Hashem is the only
one in control and we have no control! The fact that Yosef agreed to the burial
of Yaakov (instead of asking there on the spot “What about my mother many years
ago, where you just buried her in some far off place?!”), it led to Yosef
having the most power in Israel. This showed Yaakov that Yosef understands that
he cannot go against his father’s word, even if it means (to the naked eye)
destroying the respect of his mother, which shows he can handle the Emet of carrying on the Torah and its secrets!
B’H we should all
have the zchut to live and breathe Torah, because that is the foundation of
truth and Simcha in the entire world! The world was created through the Torah,
so why are we not delving into the depths of its secrets?
Shabbat Shalom!
Judaism=Think.
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