Parshat Vayigash
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha (Chapter 45, Pasuk 27), Vayar es Ha'Agalos Asher Shalach Yosef Laseis Oso, Vatechi Ruach Yaakov Avihem. When Yaakov Avinu saw the wagons sent by Yosef his spirits were uplifted and he believed that Yosef was in fact alive. Rashi explains that the Agaloswere meant to be a hint by Yosef to his father that the last topic they studied together had been the parsha of Eglah Arufah.
The Zohar Hakadosh teaches that Yosef sent six wagons, and these wagons correspond to the number of wagons brought by the Nesi'im, the heads of the tribes, at the Chanukas HaMishkan as the pasuk says (Bamidbar, Chapter 7, Pasuk 3), Shesh Eglos Tzav. What is the connection between the wagons sent by Yosef and those offered by the Nesi'im that they should match up in number?
The Sfas Emes teaches that the Medrash on Naso teaches that the six wagons brought by the Nesi'im represent the six days of the week. This is the physical world of Asiyah, the six days of work. The tribes also correspond to the physical world, as we learn that the Shevatim were divided up in the desert and encamped in the four different directions. Rashi in fact teaches that division of the tribes was derived from the order in which they accompanied their father Yaakov during his burial (see Rashi on Chapter 50, Pasuk 13). The Shevatim therefore represent the notion of borders and boundaries which is the nature of the physical world.
Yaakov Avinu, conversely, represents the notion of expansiveness without borders. The Gemara in Shabbos 118A teaches Kol Ha'Me'aneg es HaShabbos Nosnin Lo Nachalah Bli Metzarim, All who bring pleasure to Shabbos receive a portion without borders. And the Gemara quotes the pasuk from Yeshayahu (Chapter 58, Pasuk 14), V'Ha'achalticha Nachalas Yaakov Avicha, I will feed you the portion of your father Yaakov. Yaakov represents Shabbos, as we read in Vayishlach that Yaakov kept Shabbos by establishing Eiruv Techumin, and his portion is without borders and limits.
Kedushah and holiness can only be felt and expressed in an area of borders and limits. There must first be the six days of involvement in the physical world for there to follow the holiness of Shabbos. The tribes brought Yaakov down in six wagons which correspond to the six days of the week. And they brought him down in Shesh Eglos Tzav, they were covered wagons which symbolize the notion of borders and being closed in. And they brought him down to Mitzrayim, which comes from the word Meitzar which means border.
The pasuk says, Min HaMeitzar Karasi Kah, Anani BaMerchav Kah. I call out to Hashem from closed in straits, answer me in expansiveness. Once we call out to Hashem and search for him in the borders and the closed in places of the physical world of Olam Hazeh, we are able to experience His presence in the expansiveness of a Shabbos without borders. This is why the Shevatim brought Yaakov Avinu down in the six wagons; to illustrate the notion that even in the closed in darkness of Mitzrayim Bnei Yisrael should merit to achieve the portion of Yaakov Avinu, a Nachalah Bli Mitzarim.
The Mishnah in Avos (5, 7) teaches that one of the miracles which occurred in the Beis Hamikdash was Omdim Tzefufim U'Mishtachavim Revachim, they stood crowded but bowed with space. The Maharal and the Sfas Emes both teach the same concept on this Mishnah. We stand in this world crowded, surrounded by the physical boundaries of Olam Hazeh. But when we bow down, when we subjugate ourselves to Hashem, we found that we are not crowded in and have plenty of space. This idea of space, of Revachim, is the same notion of Anani BaMerchav Kah; the boundless portion of Yaakov Avinu who achieved his lot by keeping the holiness of Shabbos.
Good Shabbos
Print this article