“ And Yaakov lived in the land of Egypt… ” (Bereishis 47:28) The saga of Yaakov Avinu takes up more space in the Torah than any of the other Avos. In Parshas Vayechi it finally comes to a close. This is the curtain call. The last seventeen years of Yaakov’s life are his most peaceful and now he returns his soul to its maker. We would expect the name of the parsha to be something that would express the theme of Yaakov Avinu’s death and yet this parsha is named Vayechi, and he lived. What are we supposed to learn from this seeming oxymoron? Could it be that there is a secret to life in death itself? The Gemara in Taanis (5b) tells us that Yaakov Avinu never died. What could the Gemara possibly mean? Isn’t it clear that our entire parsha is dedicated to the passing of Yaakov Avinu? A soul powered life Truth stands the test of time. When something is true it is always true. True love is unconditional and everlasting. If we wanted to know the authenticity of our love for another we shouldn’t examine at how we behave in the good times, when the conditions of the relationship are being met, but in the difficult times, when the relationship has seemingly fallen apart. A couple that survives the difficult times may have residual scars but they also have the confidence that their love is true. Sometimes it is precisely when all the conditions have disappeared that the most essential love rises to the surface. For example, if chas vishalom a husband is struck with a debilitating illness
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