Parashas Vayechi
14 Tevet 5769
January 10, 2009

Daf Yomi: Bava Kama 13

Guest Author:
Rabbi Azriel Blumberg

Associate, Young Israel Council of Rabbis

 

 

“Shema Yisroel…Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad- Hear, O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is One.”

We say these words daily, declaring that there is no G-d but ours.  However, the phrase “Hashem Echad” carries a meaning deeper than we can fathom, as seen from two Midrashim, one in this Parsha and one in Parshat Vayigash.

As Yaakov prepares to give his final blessings to his sons, he prefaces his words by saying, “Come and I will tell you what will befall you at the end of days” (Bereishit 49:1). Yaakov then proceeds to address each of his sons in terms of their destiny as the progenitors of the tribes of the Nation of Israel. However, no mention is made of anything to occur in “the end of days.”  What was the meaning of Yaakov’s opening statement?

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 98:2) explains that Yaakov had wished to reveal to his sons the details of the ultimate “End of Days”, the arrival of Moshiach.  However, as he was speaking, this information was suddenly obscured from him. Yaakov became very concerned that perhaps one or more of his sons were not worthy of receiving this prophecy due to a shortcoming in their faith.  He asked, “Is there perhaps a blemish among my offspring?”  His sons replied, “Shema Yisroel…Just as in your heart there is only One [G-d], so, too, in our hearts there is only One [G-d].” With this, Yaakov was reassured.

This Midrash is perplexing.  First, of all the forefathers, why was Yaakov privy to this information?  And, if Yaakov feared that one or more of his sons were not worthy of receiving this tradition, how did their recitation of Shema allay his fears?

Let us examine another Midrash which also deals with Shema.  When Yaakov met Yosef, Yosef fell on Yaakov’s neck.  The posuk continues, “and he wept on his neck further” (Bereishit 46:29). Noticeably absent from this exchange is any dialogue or action on the part of Yaakov.  Rashi explains that when Yosef embraced Yaakov, Yaakov did not return the gesture because he was reciting Shema.

While many opinions hold that Yaakov and all the Patriarchs kept the Halachot of the Torah (see Ramban on Toldot 26:5), and, therefore, they recited Shema regularly, the question nevertheless remains: Couldn’t Yaakov have recited Shema at a different time, when he was not with Yosef? And if the Shema had to be recited at that time, then why wasn’t Yosef busy reciting Shema as well?

It seems that this Midrash is trying to convey to us a deeper message about Yaakov’s thoughts at this moment, thoughts which were best expressed through his recitation of Shema.

In Aleinu, we quote the prophecy of Zecharia, that at the End of Days, “G-d will be One.”  The Gemara (Pesachim 50a) asks, “Is He not One today?”  Rabi Acha bar Chanina answers that, whereas in this world, upon hearing good news, one recites the blessing “Hatov V’Hameitiv” but upon hearing bad news, one recites the blessing “Baruch Dayan Ha’emet”; in the World to Come, all of the blessings will be “Hatov V’Hameitiv.” On this day, the Michtav Me’Eliyahu (5:328) explains, we say that G-d will be perceived as One, for it will be clear how everything that has occurred in the world  - whether obviously good or seemingly evil - all came from one source ,  the will of G-d, and was all part of His master plan.

While we have not yet experienced this revelation, we believe with complete faith that the Oneness of G-d is a fact. When we say, “Hashem Echad”, we are not merely acknowledging that G-d is the only deity, but also that He is the sole force behind all that occurs in this world.  When one recites Shema, he should have in mind that he would even be willing to give up his life for the sanctification of G-d’s name.  Such dedication is only possible for a person who recognizes that G-d is One.  If there is no other force in this world besides the Hand of G-d, then there is nothing to fear when giving up one’s life for the sake of G-d.

Throughout the many years of his separation from Yosef, Yaakov suffered in more ways than one.  Aside from his grief at the apparent loss of Yosef, he struggled to understand the justice of G-d’s ways and how G-d could inflict such a loss upon him. But when Yaakov discovered that Yosef was very much alive, he understood that all the adversity he had undergone was anything but random.  At the pinnacle of this experience, when he embraced the son who he thought was lost, Yaakov was overcome by the realization on a very profound level that “Hashem Echad” - that G-d is One and everything is under G-d’s control.  Hence, at this moment, it was imperative that Yaakov recite Shema, acknowledging this sudden depth of realization.

With this explanation of Yaakov’s experience, we can understand why Yaakov wanted to reveal the end of days.  Taking the lesson he had learned about the unity of G-d’s plan, Yaakov was able to understand G-d’s plan for all of eternity.  He was able to see how all the twists and turns of history, with all the trials and tribulations that they entailed, would lead to the Ultimate Redemption.

At the end of his life, Yaakov wished to pass this legacy on to his children. They too had experienced the amazing series of events culminating in their being rescued from the famine through the kingship of Yosef.  They, more than anyone, had seen how G-d truly controls every aspect of this world, and that Yosef’s dreams were fulfilled despite all their intentions to the contrary.  Yaakov now wanted them to understand the plan of the universe with the same clarity as he.  When this information was obscured from Yaakov, he inferred that this information was not meant to be transmitted to his sons.

Yaakov was concerned.  The secret of the End of Days can be transmitted only to one who has complete faith in the Oneness of G-d, for it can be properly appreciated only by someone with commensurate faith. Did one or more of his sons lack sufficient faith to allow them to appreciate G-d’s ultimate plan for humanity?

To this, his sons replied, “Shema Yisrael - Hear, O Israel…G-d is One.”  They reassured their father that they believed, with as much faith as he, that G-d is in complete control of everything that occurs in the universe, good or bad.  Why were they not privy to understanding the goal of the world and its ultimate destiny?  After Yaakov’s death, their “eyes and hearts would be darkened;” without Yaakov’s presence, they would not able to maintain this great level of faith.  Therefore, Yaakov was not allowed to reveal this secret to them. (Michtav Me’Eliyahu)

As we observe world events, some times we can readily see the hand of G-d at work.  The good get rewarded; the evil suffer. Very often, though, events seem to occur at random or even in a way that appears unjust.  Often it seems that, G-d forbid, there are forces of evil in the world that compete with, and sometimes overcome, the forces of good.  Our mission is to constantly remind ourselves that Hashem Echad - that all that occurs is really part of G-d’s master plan.  While we may not understand the plan, we can not deny that it exists. Rather, like Yaakov’s sons, it is deliberately concealed from us so that we are able to grow in our emunah and bitachon.

May we soon merit to see and comprehend the complete fulfillment of G-d’s plan with the coming of the Ultimate Redemption.

 

Shabbat Shalom!