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Author: Rabbi Binyomin Edery

Rabbi Binyomin Edery Director of Chabad Tokyo Japan Chabad Japan established since 1999 Married to Efrat R. Edery , and have 7 children
Vayechi- Living True Life/Is Eternal Life Possible?

Vayechi- Living True Life/Is Eternal Life Possible?

This time, two articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe related to the Torah portion of this week, Parashat Vayechi, together.

Vayechi- Living True Life

This Torah reading, is titled “Vayechi” or “And he lived,” even though it discusses Jacob’s death. Jacob’s life was characterized by a connection to G-d that went beyond physical realms. This trait, shared with his descendants, continued even after his earthly life ended. As our Sages put it: “Jacob, our forefather, did not die. As long as his descendants are alive, he is alive.” This idea is relevant to all who study the Torah at any time. Despite spending years in Egypt, a place full of idolatry, these were the best years of Jacob’s life. This was because Jacob had sent Judah ahead to establish a Torah study center in Egypt, ensuring that he and his descendants would be protected from the negative influences of Egypt’s idolatrous and immoral society.

This is why Jacob’s best years were those that he spent in Egypt, for it was only there that he could see that his children had fully absorbed his moral guidance. He knew that the Divine mission would continue to the generation of redemption.

Similarly, we often find ourselves in “Egypt,” in places of spiritual darkness in all kinds of personal limitations. Like Jacob, through studying the Torah, especially the 7 Noahide laws for all humanity we remain safe from the darkness of “Egypt”, meaning the boundaries and limitations of this world, and reveal G‑dliness anywhere.

This caution from idol worship must be strengthened at this time of the year. Many stores in the Western world are selling items associated with idol worship. This includes physical objects like statues or images, both of which are prohibited to be bought. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors a creature or a created thing in place of G-d. Any statue or image Noahide inherited from his parents should be removed from his home or nullified by damaging it and removing a part of it.

The way to achieve the feeling of the unity of G-d, the infinite creator of all, is by studying the 7 Noahide laws that derive from the Torah for this inspires us to love G‑d and cleave to Him through observance of His 7 eternal commandments.

Vayechi: Is Eternal Life Possible?

The sages in the Talmud said the following: Yaakov Avinu did not die; rather, he lived forever.” (Taanit 5a) This source establishes an association between Yaakov and his descendants. Just as his descendants are alive, he too is alive.” Furthermore, the statement that Yaakov did not die was meant to be taken in a literal sense, that simply his physical body did not die. Rashi, the leading commentator, states that Yaakov was embalmed because “they thought that he had died.” And afterward, he writes: “It appeared to them that he had died, but he was alive.” From this, it is apparent that Rashi interprets the statement “Yaakov Avinu did not die” in the most literal sense, that his body did not die, as he writes: “he did not die, rather, he lives forever.”

According to the laws of nature, death is an unequivocal reality, for it is impossible for a limited, created being, subject to change, to exist with eternal vitality. However, Yaakov Avinu did not die. In the statement: “Yaakov Avinu did not die,” not only is the Torah not confined by the limits of nature, it transcends that sphere entirely. Yaakov was “the chosen of the Patriarchs,” and as such, his entire existence was the Torah, as it is written: Therefore, just as the natural order does not limit the Torah itself, it cannot restrict Yaakov. The same applies to anyone who observes the divine commands that G-d gave to all humanity. Maimonides, the Rambam, says that both Jews and Gentiles can have eternal life by adhering to their commandments. For Jews by fulfilling their 613 Commandments, and for Noahides by observing the 7 Noahide laws.

This leads us to the concept of the Resurrection of the Dead in the ultimate and true redemption. While the notion of eternal physical existence is primarily associated with Yaakov, it can be applied to all Jews and Noahides to the extent that even their bodies will possess eternal vitality.

In this context, “World to Come” signifies the Era of Resurrection. This is passed down as a legacy from Yaakov Avinu, who did not die. This is especially relevant because Yaakov was “the chosen of the three patriarchs,” selected by G-d Himself. The third Holy Temple is parallel to Jacob, who was the third patriarch. This is about to happen soon in the complete redemption.

Vayigash: Repentance for Theft.

Vayigash: Repentance for Theft.

In our Torah portion, Vayigash Genesis 45:1-3, Joseph discloses his true identity to his brothers: he is their younger sibling, the one they had sold into Egyptian slavery years prior, and who has since risen to the position of Egypt’s governor. His brothers were jealous of him, had sold him into slavery years ago, and assumed he was dead. They did not recognize him in his position of power. They failed to recognize their long-lost brother, whom they took by force and sold to Egypt in his foreign attire, serving as an Egyptian official.

Joseph, once their younger brother and a slave, was now the governor of Egypt. Joseph had been testing his brothers’ integrity and commitment to their youngest brother, Benjamin. He used a series of dramatic maneuvers to generate their repentance for selling him to a slave! He wanted to see his brothers repent of their sins, especially for the theft they committed when they sold him. These combined to create a surprising revelation for his brothers. The person they least expected to see was now in a position of power and testing them to see if they were willing to sacrifice themselves to avoid the kidnapping of their brother to slavery for the king of Egypt. They could have anticipated any outcome in Egypt except this!

Theft is one of the Noahide commandments, and it is forbidden even in the smallest value possible. This also applies to land. Since G-d gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people, any attempt by a non-Jew to take land from this holy land is considered theft and is forbidden according to the 7 Noahide laws.

This is the inner meaning of our Sages’ statement: “A person will never take a portion designated for a colleague.” This is true of not only physical matters but also matters of sanctity. The divine sparks enrobed in material property are destined to be elevated by only one person in the entire universe. Every soul has a certain measurement of G‑dliness it must elevate; it is tied to a particular soul because of that soul’s nature.

G‑d structures the events of the natural world to enable anyone to elevate the portion of creation he ought to purify. As long as the person does not elevate the sparks destined for him, they remain in exile. And since the sparks connected with a person’s soul are found in exile, the soul itself is in exile. Finally, the world is on the verge of Moshiach revelation, so we must prepare ourselves for that transformative event that will change the entire creation for good.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

Divine Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

Divine Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

As we near the close of autumn in 2023, it’s troubling to observe that academics and students from America and Europe have been downplaying, justifying, and even lauding a brutal mass killing of Jews by a terrorist faction that endorses an anti-Jewish genocide plan.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce asked a simple question to the presidents of three of America’s premier universities: “Does advocating for the genocide of Jews infringe upon your institution’s code of conduct related to bullying and harassment?” Unfortunately, none of them could provide a definitive “yes” in response. We must ask ourselves: How could so many brilliant individuals have been so mistaken? We must first comprehend where the academic world has deviated from the right path.

In each era, educated Jews have grappled with reconciling two types of wisdom: the divine wisdom of our Torah and the worldly wisdom of foreign civilizations. The philosophers of Ancient Greece are particularly notable in this narrative. Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad school, was himself proficient in mathematics, astronomy, and other aspects of secular knowledge.

The untainted oil of the Holy Temple symbolizes divine wisdom, which was tainted by the worldly wisdom of the Hellenizers. The triumph of the Hasmoneans culminated in unearthing a concealed flask of pure, untouched oil. This oil was ignited and miraculously shone for eight days. Divine wisdom not only triumphed but ascended to unprecedented heights.

This is the juncture where academic institutions diverged; here they failed. They failed to embrace the divine wisdom of the Torah and the 7 Noahide laws. At this point, these institutions began to focus more on secular or human wisdom—the knowledge derived from human experience and intellect, often emphasized in academic and scientific fields—rather than the divine wisdom outlined in the 7 Noahide laws.

The story of Chanukah is the story of the natural intellect redemption. It underscores the nullification of our reason to the divine wisdom represented in the seven Noahide laws, bringing the world closer to full redemption.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

Chanukah: Always Adding Light

Chanukah: Always Adding Light

Chanukah symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. The act of lighting candles holds a special significance, as the immediate visibility of the light contrasts with the spiritual illumination of other mitzvahs from the Torah, which remains unseen to the physical eye. However, the mitzvahs associated with lighting lamps, such as the Chanukah menorah, bring a palpable light into the home. The Chanukah menorah is placed at the home’s entrance, outside, where its light is immediately noticeable to passersby, illuminating the surroundings so that even non-Jews can see the candles. This visible manifestation of light sparks a spiritual awakening in every Jew and carries a profound message for Noahides.

In 1973, Israel faced a similar period of darkness when it was invaded by neighboring Arab armies. The country’s existence and the lives of millions of Jews seemed threatened. However, Israel managed to repel the invaders, with the IDF advancing to within 100 kilometers of Cairo and 30 kilometers of Damascus—a miraculous turnaround. Today, as Israel faces another war, similar miracles are expected. Jewish soldiers on the frontlines have already experienced many miracles. The war, which began on the year’s most joyous day, is expected to end with a resounding victory, as the land of Israel is divinely protected because the Holy Temple is located at the heart of this country, in Jerusalem.

In matters of holiness, we always want to ascend rather than descend. The essence of the holiday is about going above and beyond mere requirements; each night we add more candles. In matters of sanctity, we should always add. This is why the custom is to light the menorah while adding light, reflecting our deep love for G‑d and His immense love for us. Similarly, observing the 7 Noahide laws should go beyond mere requirements, serving G‑d out of love.

*This is from a series of articles by Rabbi Bernstein Moshe.

Mikveh project

Mikveh project

Exactly twenty-four years ago, we came to Japan, to establish the first Chabad House. Today, we finished building the steps of the Mikveh- Onsen.
Thank you Hashem for all your kindness, we are grateful for all the special people who are a huge part of what we do. Thank you dear Rebbe MhM for all the constant brachot.