Vayigash 5772

In this week's parsha, Yaakov (Jacob) and his family travel from the famine-plagued Canaan to Egypt to resettle there and to reunite Yosef (Joseph) with his father Yaakov. As the family approaches the section of Egypt called Goshen, Yaakov instructs his son Yehuda (Judah): "He [Yaakov] sent Yehuda before him to Yosef l'horot l'fanav in Goshen."

Why does Yaakov send Yehuda ahead? What is the meaning of l'horot l'fanav?

We see several different but related English translations of l'horot l'fanav: to instruct ahead of him; to show the way before him; to direct him. Rashi writes: "L'horot l'fanav – [This is to be understood as] to clear a place for him and to instruct how he will settle in it. L'fanav [means] before he would arrive there, and l'horot l'fanav [means] to prepare for him a house of study from which instruction shall go forth.''

Based on Rashi's interpretation, the Shelah HaKadosh explains how Yaakov's actions demonstrate his priorities. Yaakov makes sure that his spiritual needs are in place before he takes care of his physical needs. From this, we learn that it is a priority to establish Torah education systems in our communities, especially if we live outside the Land of Israel.

We also learn that it is a priority to transmit Torah to our children. Writes Rav Aharon Lichtenstein on www.parsha.net: "Yaakov was worried about the spirituality of his descendants in Egypt. He knew that his grandchildren would be raised in a foreign society, one with a strong and attractive culture of its own. Therefore, he wanted to be certain that they would still maintain their separate identity…Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to set up a house of study which was to provide a strong Jewish education for the children who would grow up in Egyptian society. It would give them both firm Torah values and a firm Jewish identity."

Rabbi A.L. Scheinbaum remarks that Yaakov wants Yehuda to prepare a house of study "for him [Yaakov]" meaning, "one that would adhere to the 'old world' precepts and perspectives that characterized his home…[and] that would foster and perpetuate the Patriarchal legacy and its unique characteristic form of Jewishness."

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew language seems to have something to say about the role of parents. The Hebrew word for parents, horim, shares its root with l'horot. The word Torah (literally, instruction) and the Hebrew word for teacher, morah, also are related. Embedded within lashon kodesh (the holy tongue, Hebrew) is the message that we parents are responsible for educating our children in the ways of Torah.

Matot 5771

In this week's parsha, the Israelites prepare to enter the Land of Israel. The tribes of Reuven and Gad, who are wealthy and own lots of livestock, request to settle on the eastern side of the Jordan River (just outside the land of Israel) where they see ample grazing ground for their livestock. "We will build sheep enclosures for our livestock here and cities for our children," they tell Moshe. When Moshe finally acquiesces to their request, he tells them, "Build yourselves cities for your children and enclosures for your sheep."

What is the significance of Reuven's and Gad's descendants mentioning livestock before children in their request, and of Moshe reversing the order in his response?

The Midrash says that Moshe's reversal is a rebuke. It is his way of pointing out that the two tribes seem to attach more importance to their possessions than to their children. Moshe warns that since they are so concerned with their material possessions, they ultimately will not be blessed. As it says in Mishlei (Proverbs) 20:21 about Reuven and Gad, "An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end."

The descendants of Reuven and Gad give up living in the Land of Israel to settle in a place less holy. There are many mitzvot (commandments) that can only be performed within the Land of Israel. The two tribes separate themselves from the rest of the Children of Israel and live surrounded by foreign nations. The Midrash says that as a result of this separation, their connection to Torah weakens and their Torah observance decreases. Hundreds of years later, the tribes on the eastern side of the Jordan are punished by being exiled before those living in the Land of Israel. (I Divrei HaYamim/Chronicles 5:26.)

As parents, we need to get our priorities in order – family first and foremost. Longer hours at the office may indeed bring home extra money, but it means time away from our precious families. How will we use this money? Do we really need to buy and maintain all of this stuff? Must we have the bragging rights to the latest model, the most expensive name brand, the fanciest neighborhood? How quickly these material goods can all disappear! We should instead invest in things that last – for example, our children's Torah education, a family trip to Israel, or a home in a neighborhood that will strengthen our children's connection to Torah.