A Local Source of Energy
A Local Source of Energy
When we conclude the public reading of any of the five books of the Torah, it is customary for the entire community to call out, "Chazak chazak v'nischazek! Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!"—encouraging each other in the continued study of the Torah. In particular, the proclamation "Chazak chazak v'nischazek" highlights the strength we draw from the final verses of the book whose reading we are concluding, and the strength these verses impart into the next book of Torah whose reading will soon follow.
This raises the question: The book of Bereishis concludes with the account of Yosef's passing, and finally, how his coffin was interred in Egypt. Whereas his father Yaakov's body was brought to the Land of Canaan for immediate burial, Yosef's body was embalmed and retained in Egypt, "the shame of the earth" (Bereishis 42:9). How then is Yosef's burial in Egypt a source of strength and encouragement?
In fact, however, Yosef's burial in Egypt is the ultimate embodiment of the theme of the book of Bereishis and its lead up into the book of Shemos. In the book of Bereishis we read about the deeds of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, which serve to inspire and guide their descendants, the Jewish people, particularly in the dark times of galus, exile. Likewise, we learn of G-d's promise that Bnei Yisrael would not remain exiled in Egypt forever, and, in fact, they would return to their homeland even greater and richer than they had been before their exile. These accounts, as well as Yaakov's blessings to his children near the end of the book of Bereishis, would assist and empower Bnei Yisrael to endure their exile in Egypt. Ultimately, however, in order for Bnei Yisrael to survive and even thrive in the lengthy exile, they needed not only promises, blessings and a legacy to aspire to, but also thepresence of an actual source of strength to help them overcome the darkness of galus (see Zohar, vol. 1, p. 222b).
Yosef's burial in Egypt thus constitutes the most invigorating conclusion to the book of Bereishis. For the physical presence in Egypt of Yosef's holy remains, besides whom "no one may lift his hand or his foot in the entire land of Egypt" (Bereishis 41:44), was what would give Bnei Yisrael in Egypt the strength to overpower the difficult galus that lay ahead of them.
—Likkutei Sichos, vol. 25, pp. 476-479
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פליען עם ענני שמיא "Flying with the Clouds of Heaven" (Parshas Chukas, 5751)
12.25.2015
A Local Source of Energy
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