Parshat Vayechi: Between Plurality and Singularity

In this week's Torah portion (Vayechi), Jacob blesses all his sons (as well as the two sons of Joseph born to him in Egypt, Menashe and Ephraim), who will themselves become the progenitors and namesakes of the twelve tribes of Bnei Yisrael. Jacob understood the unique capacities, drives, and limitations of each of his children. Rather than giving each one the same blessing, he instead crafted each blessing to suit the specific contours of each son. 

Jacob also implies, on a metaphysical level, that the full range of expressions and the totality of the tasks of the Jewish people can never be fulfilled by one individual alone. Rather, these responsibilities are allocated and apportioned out in such a way that everyone has the capacity to fulfill their unique potential while simultaneously benefitting from the individual contributions of others with different skill sets to the greater whole. 

A classic example of this is the partnership between Issachar and Zebulun, who complemented each other and partook in each other's merits. The tribe of Zebulun were merchants, seamen, and traders, while the tribe of Issachar engaged in learning and the study of Torah. Zebulun helped to sustain Issachar economically, and in return Issacher would "share" the heavenly merit of their learning with Zebulun. In this way, both communities embraced their respective strengths, understood the value of having different missions in this world, and redressed each others' lack. 

Our ability to seize upon and embrace, rather than be ashamed of, our own particularity, levering it as the means through which we engage in the work for which only we ourselves are uniquely suited, is in itself the blessing. Honoring the equally valuable - though distinct and differentiated - contributions of others is the means through which we catalyze and benefit from those efforts. Since the days of Jacob and Joseph, this tension between plurality and singularity has been at the heart of Jewish life, as well as the driver of internal Jewish friction. Through the process of ongoing reflection and self-discovery, may we merit to achieve in our own lives the proper balance of these two opposing but necessary forces.

Welcome to Torah in Harlem! As we move through each week, we’ll explore the stories and insights of the weekly Torah portion—the ancient text at the heart of Jewish life—and let them inspire conversation in our community. Our hope is to cultivate a gathering place where learning belongs, reflection brings joy, and we can all grow together. This week's artwork is by Hillel Smith.