Shabbat Tevet 18 5703
Torah Lessons (5703)	Chumash: Vay'chi, Shevi'i with Rashi. Tehillim: 88-89 Tanya: Ch. 11. "One is (p. 43)...hovers the Shechinah."

The one called for the last Aliya (concluding each Book of the Chumash), also says Chazak Chazak Venit'chazeik (as does the congregation).

In saying Viyhi Noam (p. 116) on Saturday night, repeat the verse Orech Yamim...; but not at Shacharit (of Shabbat, p. 154).

When the Tzemach Tzedek was a boy and learned the passage, "Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years," [1] his teacher translated according to the Baal Haturim commentary: "Our father Yaakov lived his seventeen best years in Egypt."

When he returned home from Cheder he asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe: How can it be that our father Yaakov, the elect of the Patriarchs, should have as the best years of his life the seventeen that he lived in Egypt, the land of corruption? [2]

The Alter Rebbe answered: It is written, "And Yehuda he sent before him to Yosef to give instructions for Goshen." [3]

The Midrash states, and Rashi quotes this, R. Nechemya said - to establish a house of study so Torah would be there and the tribes would study Torah. "To give instructions [4] for Goshen" means (in a deeper sense), when one learns Torah he comes closer [5] to The Al-mighty, may He be blessed, so even in Egypt it was true to say Vay'chi - he lived.

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) Bereishit 47:28.

2. (Back to text) See Rashi on Bereishit 12:19 and Vayikra 18:3.

3. (Back to text) Bereishit 46:28.

4. (Back to text) Lehorot (lit. "to teach") related to the word "Torah."

5. (Back to text) "...comes closer...", related to the word "Goshen."