Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, Maimonides, was one of the towering figures in the history of the Jewish people. Of him it was said, “From Moshe (Moses) to Moshe (the son of Maimon) there arose none like Moshe.” The Rambam wrote, “Maintaining a healthy body is among the ways of serving Hashem, since it is impossible for one who is not healthy to understand or know anything of the Creator. Therefore, one must distance himself from things which harm the body, and accustom oneself to the things that strengthen and make one healthy.”
Ours is clearly a religion of the body. We sanctify our bodies in so many ways from blessings on going to the bathroom, to our dietary “laws,” to laws about dealing with the body after death, to the “laws” of sexual behavior, to the Rambam’s observation in his famed, Mishneh Torah, “Whoever conducts himself in the ways we have set forth, I will guarantee that he will not get sick throughout his life…He will not need a doctor and his body will be in perfect shape and remain healthy all his life.”
Much of the Rambam’s advice can be succinctly stated, “A person should eat only when he is hungry, and he should drink only when he is thirsty.” He goes on to add, “In the practice of medicine, the first and most important regimen is the one for the healthy, which ensures that the existing state of health is not lost.” He also adds, “An expert physician who wants to guard his patient’s health begins by improving his diet.”
So what’s this have to do with our parasha, Vayechi, this week? The last book of Genesis, coming in the first week of 2023 during this tripledemic, comes to teach us about illness for the very first time in the Torah. The Torah states, “VaYehi Acharei HaDevarim HaEileh, Vayomer L’Yosef Hinei Avicha Choleh, Vayikach Es Shnei Banav Imo Es Menashe V’Es Ephrayim.” “A short time after this, Joseph was told that his father was sick. Joseph went to his father, taking his two sons Menashe and Ephrayim with him.” This notion of illness has not been mentioned in the Torah until this parasha. It is as if this illness evoked the opportunity for people to put their affairs in order. Hashem agreed to Yaakov’s suggestion and declared Yaakov was the first one we learn of to become sick.
We commonly wish those with an illness a Refuah Sheleimah, a prayer for Hashem to bless and heal, to restore health, to add strength, and to revive. Shin, lamed and mem, which comprise the root of the word Sheleimah, also spells Shalom, peace, or Shaleim, complete. This is what Yaakov was wished, to die complete and at peace. He had Shleimus, completeness, in that at his death he had his family undivided, complete, whole again.
Let’s look at what the Zohar reveals in his understanding of Yaakov’s death. He teaches us that eternal life can only be attained in this world. This world, not in the next world. How we live our lives, not how long we live our lives, determines our eternal life.
When our soul ascends to heaven, we bring every day we’ve lived, with us. Our days don’t disappear upon our death, but rather stay with us…forever. Every day, the special meaning we give to the days of our lives, accompany us through eternity. Therefore, keeping ourselves pure, acting with kindness, compassion, humility and truly not judging others are so essential to our eternal lives. Does this awareness help you realize the potential that awaits you?
While the parasha ends on a seemingly “bad” note, the death of Yaakov, Rashi tells us on the pasuk, “And Jacob concluded commanding his sons, and he drew his legs [up] into the bed, and expired and was brought in to his people,” from Ta’anith 5b, “But no mention is made of death and this regard, our Rabbis of blessed memory said, Our father Jacob did not die.” What? Did NOT die? But he was buried! Was he still really alive? Tosafot explains that, when describing Jacob’s death, the Torah only says that he “expired,’ not that he ‘died.” He stopped breathing but continued a true life.
We also learn, “Rabbi Yochanan stated, ‘Our father Jacob did not die.’ Rabbi Nachman asked, ‘Was it in vain that they eulogized Jacob and embalmed his body and buried him?’ Rabbi Yochanan responded, ‘I derive this from a verse: ‘Fear not, Jacob My servant… for I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity’ (Jeremiah 30:10). The verse likens Jacob to his offspring: just as his offspring lives, so too, Jacob lives’” (Ta’anit 5b).
Yaakov diffused his spiritual heritage to Yosef and the generations that succeeded him – to us. These special qualities are planted within us to this very day and are ours as a source of life.
Perhaps we learn from these interesting insights that “bad” may not be what we think it is, that “death” may not be what we think it is. The reality is rather as the Zohar points out, and as Rashi and others appear to agree with, that Yaakov didn’t die, that with open eyes and a receptive heart we can understand that when we have the “Raising of the Dead,” when Moshiach helps us turn our pain into blessings, we will see that no one ever really “died.” Until then we say this Shabbat, “Chazak Chazak V’Nitcchazaike” “Be strong, Be strong and we will be strengthened.” Vayechi, after all, means “he lived.” Despite all the hardships, the bigotry, the anti-semitism we face today, by continuing our commitment to Judaism, our identification as proud Jews, we know that Yaacov did not die.
What sustains us through setbacks and loss in life? Is it our self-confidence? After all, pop psychology would have us believe that what it takes is simply true belief in ourselves. But this week’s parasha Vayechi, teaches us that what strengthened and motivated Joseph was a genuine understanding of Divine providence.
How can we apply this to our life to live more optimally? Joseph’s mindset was a positive one and is recognized as a foundation of today’s “positive psychology” movement. Attending synagogue regularly, davening, giving tzedakah, dressing modestly…all fine. But when faced with harsh obstacles in life, be it health, career, children’s wellbeing, finances, do we bring Joseph’s באלוהים אמונה, his emunah, his faith, into our own thoughts and actions?
Joseph said, “Although you intended me harm, G-d intended it for good.” Do we see truly the value emunah can have in our life, helping us think well and see the good? King Solomon said in Proverbs 19:21, “Many designs are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s plan that is accomplished.” To thrive and not just survive, to bring joy and meaning, purpose, blessing and fulfillment into your life, it is essential to learn from Joseph and take a positive view anchored in emunah in every step in life. Don’t knock self-confidence. But know that real self-confidence, the kind that enables us to face life’s strains, can only grow when we have emunah.
Two other characteristics leap from Vayechi that lead to optimal living. Jacob’s humility and his steadfast vow to truth, koach habitul and the koach hatzemicha, were the strengths that enabled him to cultivate growth in others, help others flourish, and to transform an entire culture. We see in Jacob the profound importance of self-compassion, focusing on oneself, in the service of helping others.
Indeed, the founder of the Mussar movement, Rabbi Israel Salanter, shared, “When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. But I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my country. When I found I couldn’t change my country, I began to focus on my town. However, I discovered that I couldn’t change the town, and so as I grew older, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, but I’ve come to recognize that if long ago I had started with myself, then I could have made an impact on my family. And, my family and I could have made an impact on our town. And that, in turn, could have changed the country and we could all indeed have changed the world.” Perhaps this is another example of Shleimus.
Yaakov diffused his spiritual heritage during times of trials to faith, times that lacked morals, in a society of indecency, to Yosef and the generations that succeeded him, and to us, today, right now. These special qualities are planted within us to this very day and are ours as a source of life to build ourselves, our marriages, our families, our world.
Perhaps we learn from these interesting insights that “bad” may not be what we think it is, that “death” may not be what we think it is. The reality is rather as the Zohar points out, and as Rashi and others appear to agree with, that Yaakov didn’t die, that with eyes wide open to Him, and a receptive heart, we can understand that when we have the “Raising of the Dead,” when Moshiach helps us turn our pain into blessings, we will see that no one ever really “died.” Until then we say this Shabbat, “Chazak Chazak V’Nitchazaike” “Be strong, be strong and we will be strengthened.” Vayechi, after all, means “he lived.” May we all live with a Refuah Shelaimah.
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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com