Vayechi - 5773

As the Sefer of Bereishis comes to its conclusion this week, we may reflect on the very fact that the Torah is divided into five Seforim. It is highly unlikely that this is simply a matter of convenience. Rather, it is reasonable to assume that each of the Seforim is a comprehensive treatment of a single overall theme; when the treatment is concluded, the book comes to its end. In fact, the Ramban in his introductions to each of the Seforim develops these themes. His comments will be the starting point for our discussion.

Sefer Bereishis, contends Ramban, is the Sefer Yetzira - the book of formation. It comprises the account of the formation of the physical universe as well as the formation of the Jewish people. How so? Explains the Ramban, there is a fundamental principle, Ma'aseh Avos Siman L'bonim, the acts of the forefathers are an omen for the children. This means that Hashem guides the course of Jewish history by leading the forefathers through episodes and events that pave the way for similar episodes and events which will occur later on the national level. Throughout his commentaries on Sefer Bereishis, the Ramban points out the parallels in the stories of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov  to subsequent developments in Jewish history.

Sefer Shemos, says Ramban, is the Sefer HaGeula - the book of redemption. Although it appears that only the first four weekly portions deal with the redemption from Egypt and that the rest deal with unrelated themes, this does not challenge the Ramban's contention. Redemption is not to be defined as mere deliverance from political oppression. Rather, it is a full restoration to original status. The Avos, explains Ramban, lived life on such a lofty spiritual plane that to describe them as the Divine Chariot would not be an exaggeration. The Divine Presence literally rested upon their tents. But with the descent of the children of Yaakov to Egypt a process of decline began. Ultimately, in the estimation of the angels, the Jews were indistinguishable from the Egyptians. (When Hashem saved the Jews and drowned the Egyptians at the Red Sea, the angles were incredulous. "But these and these are both idolators.") The Jews were only restored to this status when they were liberated from Egypt, had received the Torah, and built the Mishkan. When the Mishkan was complete and the Shechina rested upon it, the Jews had truly been restored to their original position Then the process of Geulah is complete and the Book of Shemos comes to its end.

Thus, the connection of Sefer Bereishis to Sefer Shemos is relevant in two distinct ways. First, Sefer Bereishis foretells and foreshadows that which will happen to us further down the road. This knowledge could benefit us; knowing what is in store gives us the ability to cope in times of crisis and difficulty. For example, recounting the story of Avraham and Sarah in Egypt in which Sarah was abducted and saved through Divine intervention which resulted in Avraham becoming fabulously wealthy, undoubtedly was a tremendous source of satisfaction and emotional support to the enslaved Hebrews.

But, secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it inspires us to follow in the footsteps of the Avos by presenting a view of Jewish history in which the basic enterprise of the Jewish nation is the struggle to reclaim the spiritual level of our founding fathers and mothers. Thus Sefer Bereishis must be carefully examined, not only to analyze that which happens to us, but also to discover how the Avos react and respond to the situations in which they find themselves. To illustrate: Yaakov's experience in the house of Lavan is not only significant in that learning about it prepares us for the type of abuse that Jews will experience at the hands of our Galus tormentors. It also serves as a guide for how we must maintain our own integrity in the face of the duplicity of those taskmasters just as Yaakov did, (See Rambam, conclusion to Hilchos Sechirus, where he develops the idea that Yaakov become successful in the merit of his honesty and trustworthiness in his dealings with Lavan.)