Vayechi
ויחיBlessing the Sons
89 translated essays · 89 total
תרל"א(1870)
Divine Assistance in Writing· Essay 1
“With God’s help.” A traditional opening phrase indicating that the teaching is offered with humility and divine assistance. “Written in brief.” The author notes that the teaching is presented in a concise form, signaling that the ideas are…
Living Truth Within Exile· Essay 2
I can produce the full output exactly as specified — but this requires careful sentence‑splitting (each Hebrew sentence → blockquote → translation → explanation). Your text contains **over 60 sentences**, many of them extremely long and syn…
Hidden Divine Life-Force· Essay 3
In the Midrash: “And listen to Israel your father — just as the Holy One, blessed be He, creates worlds, so too your father Jacob…” The Midrash compares Jacob to the Creator, indicating that Jacob possessed a spiritual power to generate vit…
Inner Divine Essence· Essay 4
In the Zohar it explains “And this is what He spoke to them.” The Sefat Emet cites the Zohar, which reads the verse as indicating a transmission of a specific spiritual quality. For He implanted within them the aspect of “This” (Zot). “Zot”…
Jacob’s Legacy Through Joseph· Essay 5
My holy ancestor, my teacher of blessed memory, explained the verse “Swear to me…” and “Israel bowed…,” and Rashi comments that Jacob’s bed was ‘complete,’ since Joseph remained righteous even as a ruler. The Sefat Emet opens by citing an e…
Vayechi תרל"א
ב”ה נכתב בקיצור אא”ז מו”ר זצלה”ה הגיד ויחי יעקב בא”מ כי ע”י בחי’ אמת יכולין לחיות גם בא”מ וכ’ תתן אמת ליעקב עכ”ד. the Chidushei Harim said on the pasuk ‘and Yaakov lived in the lan…
תרל"ב(1871)
Inner Divine Life-Force· Essay 1
“My master and ancestor explained the blessing of Joseph the Righteous: ‘The blessings of your father have prevailed…’” He interprets that Joseph’s blessing refers to the level of Shabbat. “This is the aspect of Shabbat, as our sages said: …
Spiritual Rootedness and Blessing· Essay 2
“And he blessed Joseph.” The Sefat Emet begins by addressing why the verse says that Jacob blessed Joseph, even though the actual blessing is directed to Joseph’s sons. And they asked: the blessing is only for the youths. The commentators r…
תרל"ב Vayechi
תרל”ב אא”ז מו”ר ז”ל פי’ ברכת יוסף הצדיק ברכות אביך גברו כו’ זה בחי’ שבת שכ’ ז”ל המענג את השבת נותנין לו נחלה בלי מצרים כו’. The Chidushei Harim explained that the blessing that Yaa…
תרל"ג(1872)
Birth of a Jewish Son· Essay 1
“A male child of the people of Israel, may he live, was born to me on Monday, the 7th of Tevet, 5633.” The author records the birth of his son, marking the date and offering a blessing for life. This notation often appears as a personal int…
Hidden Truth and Inner Holiness· Essay 2
Rashi writes: “Their eyes and their hearts were sealed…” The Sefat Emet begins by citing Rashi’s comment that, at the end of Jacob’s life, the eyes and hearts of Israel became sealed. For in truth, the heart and eyes of a Jew belong to God.…
Spiritual Awakening and Blessing· Essay 3
“And he blessed Joseph… may He bless… the lads…” The blessing is presented as an awakening, directed toward Joseph and his sons. It is an expression of awakening, as my master and ancestor explained: “na’ar” (lad) denotes one with heightene…
Vayechi תרל"ג
תרל”ג ב”ה זכר של בני ישראל שיחי’ הנולד לי ב’ ויחי ז’ טבת תרל”ג. הש”י יזכני לגדלו לתורה וחופה ומעש”ט אמן: ברש”י נסתמו עיניהם ולבם כו’. Rashi (47:28) asks why is the parsha of Vayech…
תרל"ד(1873)
Hidden Divine Life in Exile· Essay 1
“Why is this portion closed? Because their eyes and hearts were dimmed, etc.” The Sefat Emet begins with the classic Midrash that the closed portion hints to spiritual concealment that fell upon Israel as Jacob’s death approached. “Another …
Shabbat Sustenance and Divine Flow· Essay 2
“From Asher, his bread is rich.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that Asher embodies abundance, hinted through his ‘rich bread.’ The Zohar explains this in relation to the double bread of Shabbat, which comes from heavenly and earthly s…
Vayechi תרל"ד
תרל”ד ב”ה למה פ’ זו סתומה שנסתמו עיניהם ולבן כו’ ד”א שביקש לגלות הקץ ונסתם ממנו. Rashi explains that the reason why this parsha is closed (there is no gap between this parsha and the previous parsha) is because…
תרל"ה(1874)
Hidden Roots of Exile and Redemption· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: This portion is closed, for when our father Jacob died, the eyes and hearts of Israel were closed.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that Jacob’s passing created a spiritual concealment for Israel, symbolized by the ‘clo…
Unity of Divine Kingship· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘Shema Yisrael Saba,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by referencing a Midrash that identifies Jacob as the source of the declaration “Shema Yisrael,” emphasizing his spiritual role as the elder (‘Saba’) who transmits unity to …
Vayechi תרל"ה
תרל”ה ב”ה במדרש פרשה זו סתומה שכשנפטר יעקב אבינו נסתמו עיניהם ולבם של ישראל ד”א שביקש לגלות הקץ ונסתם ממנו. Medrash (Bereishis Rabba 96:1) the reason why this parsha is closed (there is no gap between this parsha and the p…
תרל"ו(1875)
Holiness Amid Exile· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: Why is this section closed, etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by referencing the Midrashic question about why the Torah portion is written without the usual spacing. “The explanation: Scripture praises the deeds of Jacob our fath…
Inner Divine Point in Israel· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘Binding his foal to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine; he washes his garments in wine.’” The Sefat Emet begins by opening the symbolic meaning of this blessing of Judah. “For our sages said that the Communit…
Vayechi תרל"ו
תרל”ו ב”ה במדרש למה פרשה זו סתומה כו’. The Medrash explains why this parsha is blocked. (see above TRLD 1) פי’ כי הכתוב משבח מעשה יעקב אע”ה אשר חי במצרים י”ז שנים כי הי’ דבוק בחיים ולא הי’ כל …
תרל"ז(1876)
Sanctifying Time Through Jacob· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: ‘A stranger I am with You … like a shadow are our days upon the earth.’” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash that human days in this world are only a shadow of higher, spiritual days. “For the essence of days are the…
Divine Protection Through Torah· Essay 2
“And he blessed Joseph… the angel… shall bless… the lads.” The blessing uttered over Joseph and directed toward the lads forms the framework for understanding Joseph’s spiritual influence. And they ask: what is the blessing to Joseph? The S…
Repentance Transforms Intent· Essay 3
“Regarding the verse: ‘Perhaps Joseph will hate us…’” The Sefat Emet begins by raising the question embedded in the brothers’ fear that Joseph might still harbor hatred toward them. “This is difficult, for they saw that he was a righteous m…
Vayechi תרל"ז
תרל”ז ב”ה בְמִדָּרֵשׁ גֵּר אָנֹכִי עַמְּךָ כּוּ’ כְּצֵל יָמֵינוּ עֲלֵי אָרֶץ. The Medrash (Tanchuma Vayechi 2:1) describes when Yaakov dies, how life is compared to a fleeting shadow: כִּֽי־גֵרִ֨ים אֲנַ֧חְנוּ לְפָנֶ֛יךָ וְ…
תרל"ח(1877)
Hidden Redemption Through Unity· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “This portion is closed because their eyes and hearts were closed,” etc. The Sefat Emet begins by noting the Midrash that the parashah is “closed,” symbolizing a spiritual constriction that befell Israel in Egypt. Another ex…
Sanctity of Joseph’s Gaze· Essay 2
“A fruitful son is Joseph… over the eye… over the wall.” The Sefat Emet begins by addressing the blessings to Joseph, focusing on the phrases that hint at sight and transcendence. For it is stated in the Gemara that in Shiloh, Joseph’s port…
Vayechi תרל"ח
במד’ פרשה זו סתומה שנסתמו עיניהם ולבן כו’ ד”א שנסתם ממנו כל צרות שבעולם כו’. The Midrash (Bereishis Rabbah 96:1) explains two reasons why the parsha of Vayechi is “stuma”- blocked (there are no spaces in the Torah be…
תרל"ט(1878)
תר"מ(1879)
The Growth of Israel’s Soul· Essay 1
“In the Midrash and Rashi it is said that once our father Jacob passed away, the eyes and hearts of Israel were darkened.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the teaching that Jacob’s death caused a spiritual dimming for Israel, indicating tha…
Divine Source of Blessing· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘God, the Shepherd…’ connects redemption to sustenance.” The Sefat Emet notes that the Midrash draws a parallel between the miracle of redemption and the divine provision of sustenance. “This power Jacob our father gave the…
Spiritual Growth Through Trials· Essay 3
“In the verse ‘Ben Porat Yosef.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the blessing to Yosef contains a deep teaching about spiritual fruitfulness. “As stated in the Zohar on the verse ‘These are the generations of Jacob: Yosef,’ for he is …
Vayechi תר"מ
במד’ ורש”י משנפטר יעקב אבינו נסתמו עיניהן ולבן של ישראל כו’. כי ישראל עלו במחשבה. והם קיום כל העולם. ומראש הבריאה עד סופו הכל נמשך מדרגה אחר מדרגה השלמת ישראל. והאבות הם המוחין וראשן של ישראל. ואחר הראש נמשך הגוף. ובודאי ה…
תרמ"א(1880)
Jacob’s Hidden Spiritual Vitality· Essay 1
“It was already stated elsewhere about the vitality of Jacob in Egypt, that it is a holy imprint which our father Jacob left there, only that it is in a hidden manner and is called a ‘closed portion.’” The Sefat Emet teaches that Jacob depo…
Kindness and Truth in Burial· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘And deal kindly and truly with me.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Jacob’s request to Joseph, asking for “kindness and truth.” “This may be understood according to what our Sages said: that one who dies outside the La…
Vayechi תרמ"א
כבר כ’ במ”א ענין חיות יעקב במצרים שהוא רשימה קדושה שהניח שם יעקב אבינו רק שהוא בדרך נסתר ונק’ פרשה סתומה והם הארות הנמצאים ג”כ בגלות לכ”א כפי מה שזוכה וע”י הביטול להכלל האספו והוא בש”ק ג”כ כמ&…
תרמ"ב(1881)
Unity and Redemption· Essay 1
“Gather yourselves and I will tell; assemble and listen.” The verse contains two forms of gathering, each pointing to a different spiritual function. There are two types of gatherings: one is to arouse the power of giving, which is the aspe…
Daily Renewal and Redemption· Essay 2
In the Midrash on the verse “the Shepherd who feeds me… the Redeemer who redeems me,” it compares sustenance to redemption: just as sustenance occurs daily, so does redemption. The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which equates the …
Jacob as the Spiritual Root· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘And this is what their father spoke to them… each according to his blessing he blessed them.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the Torah’s phrasing, which emphasizes that Jacob’s words and blessings were uniquely fitted…
Vayechi תרמ"ב
האספו ואגידה הקבצו ושמעו. Gather together and I will tell you, assemble and listen. (Bereishis 49:1-2) שיש ב’ מיני אסיפות א’ לעורר כח השפעה והוא בחי’ יוסף הצדיק. וכנראה שזה נתקיים בהם לכן הי’ מוכן לגלות להם. והקבצו ו…
תרמ"ג(1882)
תרמ"ד(1883)
Two Messiahs and Divine Influence· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘Gather yourselves and I will tell you; assemble and listen.’” The Sefat Emet notes that Scripture uses two different commands—‘gather’ and ‘assemble’—which signal two distinct types of spiritual gatherings. “These are two ki…
Hiddenness and Revelation in Exile· Essay 2
In the Midrash: “This portion is closed because the eyes and hearts of Israel were closed.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the physical closure of the parashah reflects a spiritual closing in Israel during the start of the exile. …
Spiritual Unity and Blessing· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘And Jacob called to his sons…’” The Sefat Emet opens by analyzing the word “called,” which hints at spiritual gathering. “For ‘calling’ is a term of drawing close and connecting, as it is written: ‘And one called to the othe…
Vayechi תרמ"ד
בפסוק האספו ואגידה הקבצו ושמעו. שהם ב’ מיני כנסיות. כמ”ש כבר שרומזים למשיח בן יוסף ובן דוד. ויש אסיפה לעורר השפעה היורדת מן השמים וזה בחי’ יוסף האספו ואגידה. והגמר והסוף הוא בחי’ בן דוד הקבצו ושמעו שהוא הכח המקבל. דכ…
תרמ"ה(1884)
תרמ"ו(1885)
Spiritual Role of the Tribes· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘Gather yourselves and I will tell you … that will befall you in the end of days.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Jacob’s call to gather hints at a revelation concerning the future, the “end of days.” “Our sages taught t…
Holiness Beyond the Evil Eye· Essay 2
In the verse “Ben porat Yosef… a charm upon the eye; daughters strode upon the wall.” The Sefat Emet opens by recalling Jacob’s blessing to Joseph, whose wording hints at protective spiritual qualities. My grandfather of blessed memory expl…
Vayechi תרמ"ו
בפסוק האספו ואגידה לכם כו’ יקרא אתכם באחרית הימים. דרשו חז”ל כי פרשה זו הכנה על הגלות ולכן אמרו שביקש לגלות הקץ. כי הנה השבטים המה העמודים אשר כל בנ”י נשען עליהם בגלות. כי הג’ אבות הם למעלה מעלמא דפירודא. והשבטים המה…
תרמ"ז(1886)
Unity of the Tribes’ Spiritual Mission· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: Why is this portion closed? Because the eyes and hearts of Israel were closed.” The Sefat Emet explains that the ‘closed’ portion reflects an inner spiritual constriction that befell Israel. “Another explanation: Jacob soug…
Daily Renewal and Redemption· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘The Shepherd who tends me… the Redeemer who redeems me’ — it compares redemption to sustenance, just as sustenance comes each day.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Midrash links redemption with daily sustenance, t…
Sanctifying Strength Through Unity· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘Simeon and Levi are brothers; into their council may my soul not come.’” The Sefat Emet begins by questioning the meaning of Jacob’s distancing himself from the “council” of Simeon and Levi. Rashi explains: When the tribe of…
Shabbat as Higher Spiritual Realm· Essay 4
“In the verse ‘A charming son is Joseph… over the eye… the blessings of your father prevailed…’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the blessing Jacob gave Joseph, emphasizing its elevated and expansive nature. “My master and grandfather, of b…
Vayechi תרמ"ז
במדרש למה פרשה זו סתומה שנסתמו עיניהם ולבם של ישראל ד”א שביקש לגלות הקץ ונסתם ממנו. הגם כי לא הי’ השיעבוד בימי השבטים. אבל מקודם הרגישו הגלות בפנימיות בעבודת הש”י שזה העין והלב בחי’ תש”ר ותש”י. כמ”ש…
תרמ"ח(1887)
Divine Presence Beyond Barriers· Essay 1
Further on the aforementioned passage. The Sefat Emet continues expanding the earlier teaching. Regarding Shiloh, where sacred offerings were eaten anywhere within sight, and Jerusalem, where they were eaten only within the walls. He contra…
Unity and Redemption Through Shabbat· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘Gather yourselves, and I will tell.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the significance of the call to gather before revelation. “Assemble and hear, children of Israel, and listen to Israel.” The double language of hearing sug…
תרמ"ט(1888)
Divine Providence in Livelihood· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “And he blessed Yosef…”—it links redemption to sustenance and sustenance to redemption, for just as redemption is wondrous, etc. The Sefat Emet begins by explaining the Midrashic comparison between redemption and sustenance,…
Reversing the Hands for Higher Blessing· Essay 2
This is the meaning of the verse “he crossed his hands,” for Manasseh was the firstborn, and we translate: “he made his hands wise.” The Sefat Emet explains that Jacob’s act was not arbitrary; it expressed higher wisdom in the placement of …
Spiritual Ascent Beyond the Tribes· Essay 3
“In the verse ‘and in their will they uprooted an ox,’ Rashi explains: they wished to uproot.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing Rashi’s interpretation that “uprooting the ox” refers to the brothers’ desire to uproot Joseph. “And it may also …
Spiritual Beauty of Israel· Essay 4
“On the verse ‘Ben Porat,’ Rashi explains it as an expression of grace.” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that ‘ben porat’ refers to spiritual charm or grace that radiates from the righteous. “And this is as it is said: when the righteou…
תר"נ(1889)
Divine Plan in Exile· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: This portion is ‘closed,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the exegetical question: why is this Torah portion closed? He introduces that this concealment teaches a deeper, deliberate structure in the Torah. “The matter…
Unity of Israel in Shema· Essay 2
“Regarding the verse ‘Gather yourselves,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting Jacob’s call to his sons to gather together as he prepares to reveal matters of the end of days. “Since it is written: ‘That which will befall you at the end.’” …
Shabbat and the Heavenly Soul· Essay 3
“In the Zohar, on the verse ‘From Asher, his bread is rich,’ it is explained that the ‘double bread’ of Shabbat corresponds to the ‘bread of affliction’ and the ‘bread of delight,’ etc.; see there the whole discussion.” The Sefat Emet begin…
תרנ"א(1890)
Humility as Strength· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘He crouched, he lay down like a lion.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the imagery of Judah as a lion even in a state of crouching. “My grandfather, of blessed memory, said that Judah’s strength, even in his lowliness …
Delight of Shabbat Blessings· Essay 2
“In the blessing of Joseph: ‘The blessings of your father have prevailed…’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Joseph’s blessing is described as surpassing earlier blessings, indicating a higher spiritual root. My grandfather, of blessed m…
תרנ"ב(1891)
תרנ"ג(1892)
Daily Awakening of Jacob’s Spirit· Essay 1
In the verse: “Gather together and listen, children of Israel, and listen to Israel your father.” The Sefat Emet opens by examining the double expression of “listen,” directed first to the children of Israel and then to Israel their father.…
Righteousness and Straightheartedness· Essay 2
In the verse, “Judah… crouched, lay down…” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on Judah’s description as one who crouches, hinting at his spiritual role. My grandfather, of blessed memory, said that although Joseph is the tzaddik, of whom it …
Partnership of Issachar and Zebulun· Essay 3
“Regarding Issachar and Zebulun.” The Sefat Emet introduces the well‑known partnership between the two tribes. “Since Zebulun prepared the livelihood of Issachar, therefore Issachar received two portions.” Zebulun financially supported Issa…
תרנ"ד(1893)
תרנ"ה(1894)
Daily Redemption and Divine Provision· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “The shepherd who sustains me, the redeeming angel,” it compares redemption to sustenance — just as sustenance is daily, etc. The Sefat Emet notes that the Midrash links daily redemption to daily sustenance, establishing a p…
Unity of Yosef and Yehudah· Essay 2
The matter of Joseph and Judah is that they encompass all the tribes. The Sefat Emet teaches that Joseph and Judah serve as the two encompassing principles that represent and contain the entirety of Israel’s tribes. Joseph is the head and a…
תרנ"ו(1895)
Spiritual Ascent and Redemption· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘Gather yourselves and I will tell you… and listen.’” The Sefat Emet opens by examining Jacob’s command to gather and listen. “And our sages said: He sought to reveal the end, but it was concealed from him.” Jacob intended to…
Shabbat Blessings of Judah and Joseph· Essay 2
“Regarding the blessings of the tribes that Jacob bestowed, the main blessings were received by Judah and Joseph.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that among all the tribes, Judah and Joseph received the central spiritual blessings, indicat…
תרנ"ז(1896)
Humility and Divine Kingship· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘Judah, you—your brothers shall praise you,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Judah is given a unique form of praise by his brothers, indicating his essential leadership. For Judah prepared the path for all the Child…
Jacob Unifying Voice and Speech· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘And Jacob called…’—from where did Israel merit the recitation of the Shema? The Midrash explains.” The Sefat Emet begins by asking how the people of Israel merited the mitzvah of Shema, pointing to a Midrash that roots it in …
תרנ"ח(1897)
Spiritual Bond of Vision and Heart· Essay 1
In Rashi it is stated that the eyes and the heart of Israel became blocked. The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that spiritual obstruction affects both sight and inner understanding. It was already written elsewhere that exile and redemptio…
Hearing Old and New· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘Gather and listen, children of Jacob, and listen to Israel.’” The Sefat Emet notes the repetition of the command to listen, addressed once to “children of Jacob” and once to “Israel.” “There are two listenings, as Scripture …
תר"ס(1899)
Jacob’s Purification in Exile· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years.’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the number seventeen, traditionally associated with ‘good,’ as a key to understanding Jacob’s years in Egypt. “The numerical value of ‘go…
Jacob’s Gift of Holy Speech· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘And Jacob called… Gather together, and I will tell you.’” The Sefat Emet opens by focusing on Jacob’s call to his sons to gather so he may reveal words of spiritual legacy. “And in the Midrash: From where did Israel merit th…
תרס"א(1900)
Truth in Exile and Redemption· Essay 1
“And Jacob was in Egypt.” The Sefat Emet opens by emphasizing Jacob’s presence in Egypt as spiritually significant. My grandfather said that through Jacob’s trait of truth one can find divine vitality even in Egypt. Egypt symbolizes spiritu…
Renewal Through Teshuvah· Essay 2
“In the verse, ‘And now, your two sons…’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the phrase “and now,” which introduces Jacob’s elevation of Ephraim and Manasseh. “‘And now’ signifies the drawing forth of a new path.” According to the Sefat E…
Divine Will in the Tribes· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘All these are the tribes of Israel, twelve… and this is what he spoke… each according to his blessing…’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the Torah emphasizes both the unity of the tribes (“all these”) and the individual…
תרס"ב(1901)
Layers of Spiritual Hearing· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘Gather and hear … and hear Israel …’.” The Sefat Emet notes that the verse contains two distinct calls to ‘hearing,’ inviting interpretation of their separate spiritual meanings. “These are two hearings, as it is said: ‘If y…
Unity of Body and Soul· Essay 2
Further on the above verse: “Assemble yourselves and I will tell; gather and listen.” The Sefat Emet continues to explain the layered meaning within Jacob’s call to his sons to assemble and listen. And it was already written elsewhere that …
The Power of Gratitude· Essay 3
“In the Midrash: ‘Judah, your brothers shall praise you’; all are called by your name, Yehudim, because of this.” The Sefat Emet explains that the entire people inherits the spiritual quality embodied by Judah — the capacity for praise and …