Birchat David: Vayeishev

The 25th of Kislev is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yochanan Twersky, the Tolna Rebbe (1906-1988). He was the son of Reb Dovid Mordechai in Tultchin, where his grandfather, Rav Menachem Nachum was Rav. The latter had moved there from Tolna a year earlier.

“And Jacob settled in the land of his father’s sojourning, in the land of Canaan.” (Genesis 37:1)

Rashi explains that Jacob desired to live in peace, and instead the rage of all the events with Joseph attacked him, as the verse describes about Job’s experiences:  “I was not secure, I was not quiet, I was not at rest; and torment has come.” (Job 3:25)

One must understand this teaching as instructions for Avodah – Serving God: A person desires to live in peace, free of physical suffering and trouble. However, a person with higher thought understands that his body is only temporary and is not concerned with any physical suffering. All his efforts are for the World to Come. This is what Job meant when he said:  “I was not secure, I was not quiet, I was not at rest,” he was never at rest, focusing rather on how he could expand his portion in the World to Come. This is the “Rage of Joseph,” the burning desire to “Yoseif,” to add to and expand his portion in the World to Come.

This is possible only for one who “Megurei Aviv,” – “the sojourning of his father,” – which also means “from fear of his Father, in Heaven.” Jacob “Vayeishev” – settled, just as Abraham “Yosheiv,” sat at the entrance to his tent, in awe of his Father, waiting for revelation, and for God’s Presence to fill all the worlds and surround them.