Dear Friends,
I write this D’var Torah just before I begin 2 months of my 6-month sabbatical that the congregation so graciously affords me. Sabbaticals are an opportunity for spiritual growth and rejuvenation, generally taken every seven years, as first introduced in the Torah in Exodus, commanding a complete rest for the land. Each sabbatical has given me the opportunity to learn something new, teach cantorial students, and refresh both spiritually and physically (including vocally). The main goal this sabbatical is to take on-line classes to help me create better tools in running our B’nai Mitzvah program as well as helping our clergy team with tools for pastoral care. In addition, I’m working with a clergy consultant in leadership development and preparing for the next few years of my cantorate. Most importantly it is a time to refresh and rejuvenate my spirits so that I can be a better clergy person to you, our congregants.
As I read this week’s Torah portion, Vayechi, the final portion in the book of Genesis, I read between the lines a similar spiritual rejuvenation for Jacob and Joseph. The Torah introduces the final chapter of Jacob’s life, emphasizing his life, not his death. We read of Jacob’s spiritual vitality in his old age. For example, Jacob asks Joseph to swear he will bury him in the Cave of Machpelah, which his grandfather Abraham had purchased in Canaan and not to be buried in Egypt, where he dies.
Jacob became spiritually connected to God previously in the Torah, where he struggles with an angel and God changes his name to Yisraeil (the one who wrestles with God). In this week’s portion, by making sure he is buried in Canaan, not Egypt, Jacob affirms his spiritual oath to God to be buried in the land that God promised his descendants. The Israelites had become settled and comfortable in Egypt, but Jacob’s determination to be buried outside of Egypt, the commentators say, serves as a clear reminder from Jacob that the Israelites were destined to be elsewhere, to continue moving them to fulfill the covenant, receive the Torah and create a Jewish homeland in the Land of Israel, which God promised to them.
Before he dies, Jacob blesses his grandsons Ephraim and Menashe. Some say this is Jacob’s spiritual affirmation to making sure his family stays connected to the covenant. It is spiritually significant in two ways: Joseph takes time out of his position as a leader to Pharoah in Egypt, with all the duties he has, to reconnect to the legacy of his family. In essence, he takes a break from leadership and his work, to realign with his spiritual identity –who he truly is, and where he comes from. This allows him to die (at the end of this portion) in peace. For Jacob, by blessing Ephraim and Menashe, he is showing to Jacob and his grandsons the importance of his spiritual identity. He affirms that they are part of the link in the Jewish chain, and that serves as a symbol for the generations to come. The commentators say that Jacob and Joseph’s realization of this is rejuvenating, restoring meaning to their lives, and bringing them peace, strength and purpose.
A sabbatical serves a similar purpose. Everyone should have them. When we step back from constant productivity, pressure or workload, we create space for reflection — reconnecting like Jacob and Joseph, with our values, our Judaism, and our purpose.
I look forward to seeing you when I return in March for Purim!
L’shalom uv’racha (peace and blessing),
Cantor Michael Shochet
