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This week the Book
of Braishis ends. Yaakov (Jacob) summoned his son Yoseph (Joseph) and
discussed final arrangements with him. He asked to be transported to
Chevron and to be interred in the same cave as his father, mother, and
grandparents. Yoseph returned home and an unprecedented event occurred.
Yaakov took ill. He is the first human that the Torah records as getting
sick. Yoseph was informed and quickly hurried to his father’s bedside.
The Torah tells us that when Yoseph was announced, “Israel (Jacob) exerted
himself and sat up on the bed” (Genesis 48:2). Yoseph enters the room and
Yaakov proceeded to recount major events of his life to him. Yaakov
talked about his divine revelations and the blessings that the Almighty
bestowed upon him. He discussed the death of Rachel and explained why he
buried her in Bethlehem and not Hebron. Then Yaakov proceeded to bless
his beloved son Yoseph’s children in a unique manner. He designates
Yoseph’s children as shevatim (tribes) with equal rights and inheritance
as his other sons.
One portion of the
episode needs clarification. The Torah is usually short on detail. Why
then does the Torah tell us that when Yoseph walked in Yaakov exerted
himself and sat up in bed? Why is that significant? Who cares if he sat
up or lay down? If he was able to sit, why should he not? And if it was
very difficult for him to sit up, why did he? And isn’t what Yaakov said
more relevant than how he said it?
Rashi explains that
the seemingly supplementary detail teaches us a lesson. A father whose
son has risen to power must show respect. It may have been quite
difficult for Yaakov to sit, however it was important. One must show
respect for royalty, even if it is his own child who has risen to power.
I’d like to analyze the incident from another angle.
American
historian Paul F. Boller Jr. relates the following story: At noon on
January 1st 1863, the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation was
placed in front of Abraham Lincoln. He stared intensely at it as it lay
before him on his desk. He picked up his pen to sign it, and was about to
dip the quill into the ink when he hesitated and put his arm down. He
paused, closed his eyes, and began the process again. Determinedly he
picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink, and put it down. With a grim
face he turned to Secretary of State William N. Seward and said, “My
hands have been shaking since nine o’clock this morning. My right hand is
almost paralyzed. If I am ever to go down into history, it will be for
this act. My whole self is in it. However, if my hand trembles when I
sign this proclamation, whoever examines it will say hereafter, ‘he
hesitated'”.
With that, the
President mustered his strength, dipped the quill into the ink, and
slowly but resolutely signed in perfect form — Abraham Lincoln.
As he lay on his
deathbed, Yaakov Avinu was about to perform an unprecedented act. He was
about to bestow the title of shevatim, tribes, to his grandchildren
Ephraim and Menashe. This was an honor only relegated to his own
children. Then he blessed them with words that were destined to become
the hallmark of paternal blessings for generations to come. “By you shall
(the children of) Israel bless their children – May G-d shall make you
like Ephraim and Menashe. Thus shall be your children.”
Those were not
blessings that could be endowed in a prone position. As weak as Yaakov
was, he knew that the future of two young tribes lay in the strength of
his blessing. He wouldn’t give it lying down. Yaakov Avinu knew that any
sign of weakness that he would convey in transferring that most important
message would be recognized for eternity. He mustered his strength and
sat up to give that blessing that would wax eternal. Execution of great
actions needs great strength and fortitude. Our forefather Yaakov knew
that just as there are things you can’t take lying down, there are also
many things, namely greatness and blessing, that you cannot give lying
down.
Drasha is sponsored this week in
memory of Joseph K. Miller by his children Mr. & Mrs. Geoffery Miller
Liluly Nishmas Reb Yosef ben Reb Ahron Shmuel O”H 13 Teves
Good Shabbos!
Copyright © 1998 by
Rabbi M. Kamenetzky and Project
Genesis, Inc.
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The author is the
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