Genesis

בייה

Dear Ones, Each of us knows our body is going to die. Everyone has an unescapable appointment with death unless we live when Moshiach comes. Solomon shared, ‘To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven; An [appointed] time to be born, and a [appointed] time to die.’ (Ecclesiastes 3.1-2). Years preceding Solomon, David wrote, ‘[O Lord] Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book, all things are written; and the days in which they are to be fashioned.’(Psalms 139.16) Our Scriptures discuss sickness and death so we will have a calm, tranquil, peaceful transition from our life in the human body to life outside our body. The life of the Soul is indeed the true life. The body is a temporary vessel allowing us to live in this world and achieve our Tikkun. The Torah Teaches that sickness/weakness is a precursor to this transition. (Genesis 47.29) Says, ‘the time drew nearer that Israel/Jacob must die, ‘i.e., his appointment with death approached.’ The Torah explains what happens to our body after burial. Jacob said, ‘I will lie down with my fathers.’ (Genesis 47.30) He implies that just as one lies down, one arises. One is resurrected. (Hosea 13.14) quotes our Creator, ‘I will save them from the grip of Sheol, save them from death. Death, where are your stinging words? Sheol, where is your destructive power? Hidden compassion [for them] streams from My eyes. שְׁאוֹל֙ Shih Oohl – Sheol is the grave, which is synonymous with death and hell. Each of us knows our body is going to die. Dying is part of the cycle of living. Transmigration of the Soul is also part of the cycle of living. Transmigration is our opportunity to return to this world in a different body again and again until we get it right. An example of Transmigration is in (Genesis 46.12). ‘And the sons of Judah; Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zarah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.’ They are dead, yet they are mentioned because their Soul transmigrated to their twin brothers Perez and Zarah. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), page 2009 – 2010 – Rabbi Dr. Charles B. Chavel Ramban {Nachmanides} Commentary On The Torah Genesis (Shilo Publishing House, Inc. New York, N.Y. 1990) p 466 – 470

(Genesis 48.1) Says, ‘And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, your father is sick.’ What things is The Torah referencing? It was after Joseph visited his father (Genesis 47.28 – 31). It was after Joseph’ saw his father was weak and lying in bed. It was after Joseph swore to his father. Until this point, Joseph thought of his father as a strong, vibrant man. When Jacob was 77, he rolled a heavy stone from the well’s mouth by himself – (Genesis 29.8). Removing the stone required three or four shepherds. Jacob wrestled with Esau’s guardian angel – (Genesis 32.25 – 30 ). The angel could not prevail over him. He took Shechem’s land from the Amorite’s hand with his sword and bow – (Genesis 48.22).

Joseph was a busy man. He administered the entire government of Egypt. Every government official and commander of the armies of Egypt answered to Joseph. The people of Egypt brought their problems to Joseph to resolve. Yet when he was informed his father was weak, He immediately summoned his chariots and driver and went to Goshen.

Hee Nay – הִנֵּה – Behold is like an exclamation mark, saying watch, observe, view, see. Hee Nay – הִנֵּה – Behold is a word that is used to get our attention. הִנֵּה – Hee Nay was one of the Words used to inform Joseph of his father’s weakness. Joseph had a premonition, a feeling that something unpleasant was about to happen. He didn’t hesitate. He acted. Each of us has essential responsibilities. Yet, we must prioritize at night, in the morning, and throughout the day.

Joseph heard that Jacob, his father, was חֹלֶה Choh Leh – sick, Jacob became weak. Weakness was a sign. (Genesis 48.1) is the first time a sickness, illness, disease, or weakness is mentioned in The Holy Scriptures. How does one describe a sickness, illness, disease, or weakness that did not exist in the past? The Torah does not indicate that Jacob’s sickness was age-related even though he was 147 years old at the time of his death. Jacob did not die of old age. Can anyone among us imagine what it was like, a world without sickness for 2,255 years? Let’s think about this a little. Abraham was born 1,948 years From Creation. Isaac was born when Abraham was one hundred years old [2,048 F.C.]. Jacob was born when Isaac was sixty years old in [2,108 F.C.]. Jacob died at the age of 147 years. There was no sickness/weakness until 2,255 FC. For the past 3,529 years, our world has lived with sickness/weakness that may be a precursor to death. Again, it is a gentle, loving sign to us and those around us. We should conclude our affairs in this world as Jacob did and prepare to enter the peaceful transition to the next life. Still, Those who love us will be impacted, devastated, hurt, and feeling a significant loss.

This morning, a goose appeared in our yard alone, disheveled, scruffy, and windswept. This wasn’t the first time we experienced a goose morning the loss of its mate. The Goose is sad, melancholy, and in quiet, deep despair, standing, gazing, and remembering pastimes here with its mate and another couple. This is home. The Goose was born In a quiet place near a small lake we share. Its parents produced a number of goslets. They enjoyed grain and corn in our yard and swam in single file all over the lake. We watched their parents guarding them as they ate throughout the following days, weeks, and months. We observed as their parents taught them to fly and to be careful in the wooded areas. And now this single Goose has come home to inform us, mourn, and take refuge among us. We feel it’s a pain. We are deeply saddened. It will not mate again but likely live out its remaining time here. We will offer comfort and grain. The Goose is free to come and go as it chooses, and perhaps, just maybe, its mate, parents, and siblings might appear out of nowhere like Joseph.

May we be comforted to know that Lord cares for those whose day of death approaches and for our loved ones.

The Lord God Established The Holy Commands to guide us on His path. Psalms 119.101 – 105). David wrote, ‘I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your Word. I have not departed from Your Judgments that You have taught me. How sweet are Your Words to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your Precepts, I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’

May we enjoy Shemini Atzeret, Sabbath, our Sukkah, joy, happiness, peace, blessings, lovingkindness, and forgiveness.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk

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