Thought of the Week: Vayechi - 5781

Completing Creation

With Pareshat Vayechi, we conclude the book of creation.  Twelve weeks ago, we began our journey by reading about the formation of heaven and earth, and now we end the book of Bereshit with the passing of Yosef in Egypt.

Towards the end of the book, Yosef reassures his concerned brothers that, despite what they did to him, he will continue taking care of their needs even after the passing of their father Yaakov.

Bereshit is a book that guides and inspires us to become ethical beings.  When we are provided information about our God, it is for us to learn and to try to emulate and follow his path.  In the words of the rabbis: "Be like Him.  Just as He is gracious and merciful, you also should be gracious and merciful."  Thus, what we have at the end of the book is indeed bringing creation to its purpose.  Yosef forgiving his brothers with grace and mercy is the purpose of creation, where a human being overcomes the natural tendency of vengeance in order to follow the path of Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom