Divrei Mav

Parshas Vayechi 2017 The Blessing in Yaakov’s Death This week’s  parsha  relays the events that transpired during the passing of our forefather  Yaakov  (Jacob).  Yaakov  prior to his death gave each of his sons a special blessing which would provide a foreshadowing of their makeup as a Tribe in the Nation. Only after he concluded bestowing each blessing did  Yaakov  pass. The  Torah  memorializes,  “When Yaakov finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet onto the bed; he expired and was gathered to his people.”    ( Genesis  49:33) The  gemora  (Talmud) in tractate  Taanis  (5b) says , “Our father Yaakov did not die.”  Interestingly, there is an opinion in the  gemora  that understands  Yaakov’s  “death” to be more figurative than literal. Which is peculiar, for the  Torah   does  mention how  Yaakov  was mourned for, embalmed, and even buried. However,  Tosfos  steps in and points out that the  Torah  doesn’t use the common vernacular of “ Vayamas ” (and he die

Chanukah Lights Inspiration from Within The  Chanukah  candles inspire and enlighten their observer. In fact, this is their job. We light the candles to commemorate the awesome miracles of  Chanukah  and to feel the same sense of awe and appreciation we had at the time of the miracles - to some degree. The  gemora  (Talmud) in tractate  Shabbos  (21b) teaches, the  Chanukah  menorah should be placed  outside  the doorway to one’s home. This is to publicize the miracles of  Chanukah *, ( Rashi  -early commentator). The  gemora  continues, if one lives on a second floor (has no door to the outside) or if there is a “danger” present, he should place the  menorah  indoors by a window that faces the street. If he has no such window, then he should place it by any door that he has. The “danger” the  gemora  is referring to, is a time in history when the gentiles outlawed the Jewish people from lighting candles, of any sort, ( Shabbos ,  Chanukah , etc.). Therefore, it would b