The Mesorah of Yaakov

In the Zohar, Yaakov if often called ישראל סבא  and even in halacha, the Ramban (Krias Shema 1:4) calls him the זקן.  Why is this title awarded to Yaakov, he died the youngest of the avos, so why is he referred to as the elderly, grandfather figure?  Why are we called Klal Yisroel, why not be called after Avrohom or Yitzchok?  The Rav explains (first essay in Man of Faith in the Modern World) that Yaakov is the only one of the avos that we see from the Chumash that he interacts with his grandchildren.  The Torah never gives us a description of Avrohom dealing with Yaakov or Yitzchak with the shevatim, it is only Yaakov and the sons of Yosef that we see there is this relationship.  This is a unique quality that Yaakov has, he has the ability to carry on the mesorah for the future generations, he is able to bridge the gap between the alte heim, the holy land of Eretz Yisroel and the land of Egypt.  He merited to give over the Torah from the previous generations, the Torah learnt in the cold, freezing, frigid weather of Europe.  A Torah learnt in poverty and the most difficult conditions.  He was able to give over an appreciation of that Torah to an Egyptian (American) kid born into the lap of luxury with all the modern technology that he wanted available at his beckoning.

I must mention Yeshivas Mir letov, that I felt more than in any other religious institution (admittedly, not too many) that I have attended, they were able to give over this feeling of mesorah, that we American bochurim learning in the Mir Yerushalayim were somehow continuing the great legacy of Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel, Rav Chaim Shmulevez, Rav Kamai and somehow we were connected to the run down town of Mir, Poland and the yeshiva there.  I can’t really explain how they made this feeling apparent, nor have I asked my peers if they experienced (possibly unconsciously) such a feeling (though, if any of them are reading this they may chime in,) but that was the feeling I got.  There was just a certain way that it felt to hear Rav Asher Arieli quote the shver b’shem Rav Baruch Ber that an American kid (myself) was lifted up out of America (or the steps heading downstairs to the Beis Sholom beis midrash) and brought in to Kamenetz and sitting before Rav Baruch Ber.

Based upon this I believe we can understand an additional point.  Everyone knows the Gemorah Taanis (5b) that Rav Nachman says based upon a hekesh from Yaakov to his children that Yaakov didn’t die.  Its well known what the Rashba says to explain this Gemorah that through the children carrying on the Torah of Yaakov it’s as if Yaakov is still alive.  Why do we find this yesod by Yaakov more than the other avos?  Because its Yaakov who is able to ensure that the chain of Torah will be carried to the future generations even though living conditions may be different. (As an aside it is one of my pet peeves when people use this idea of the Rashba outside the context of Torah.  I believe the words of the Rashba are because the words of Torah are nitzchi, it is a power above time [and this explains many statements of Chazal ואכמ"ל.]  This can’t be extended to other points.  They may be great maalos and great attributes but if it aint Torah, it aint Torah!)

The meforshim point out a technical problem in the possuk.  It says (48:15) “Yaakov blessed Yosef” but then he continues to give a blessing to Menasha and Efraim, where is the blessing given to Yosef?  The answer is that the blessing to the children of Yosef is a blessing to Yosef.  It is the ability to give over the דמות דיוקנו של אביו, that mesorah, that imprint of kedusha that he received from his father, to his children that is the biggest blessing to Yosef.

This week’s parsha is Vayechi.  Seems badly named if we learn about the deaths of Yaakov and Yosef?   That is the life of an av, Yaakov Avenu lo mes, he lives through his children.  It is when the teachings, the avodah, the mesorah of Yaakov can be carried on through the toughest times of golus that prove Vayechi Yaakov.