This week’s parsha ends the book of Genesis. Next week we begin the story of the Exodus. Here we are ending 2012 and beginning 2013. Vayechi tells the story of the death of Jacob and ultimately with the death of Joseph. In the opera Manon by Massenet before the protagonist Manon dies she says, “this is the story of Manon”. So it is with our people, this is the story of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs in all their glories and foibles.
The book of Genesis is a remarkable accounting of a dysfunctional people learning from their experiences and becoming a family once again. Before the death of Jacob, Jacob blesses Joseph’s children, Ephraim and Menasseh. We go full circle the children of Jacob remain a family and embrace the new generation. We are to glean from the text that all is forgiven concerning Joseph and his brothers because after the famine is over they remain in Egypt close to Joseph. They come together as a family, now stronger than before desiring to live together.
Let us take a cue from Joseph, who even when he was sold into slavery by his brothers was able to forgive then and want to be with them. So as the secular New Year approaches let us use our ancestors as a guide and begin to mend our families.
Happy and Healthy 2013
Cantor Sussman
