The Role Of Jacob In Egypt

Dr. Michael LaitmanQuestion: In the weekly Torah portion “VaYechi” there is a very interesting relationship between the Egyptians, Jacob, and his children. They cried over him, embalmed him, buried him in the land of Israel, and much more. What does it all mean?

Answer: Our egoism or will to enjoy, which is called Egypt, cannot exist without the will to bestow. We need the Upper Light! However, the Upper Light does not come to us unless we have sparks of bestowal. When a person begins to connect qualities of reception and qualities of bestowal, then he sees that he thrives in his egoistic desires!

Therefore, the “seven years of plenty” in Egypt (where seven years do not designate a period in time, but seven Sefirot of Zeir Anpin) are possible as long as Jacob is in Egypt. As long as Jacob, the middle line, exists, he is able to correctly connect the right and left lines, reception and bestowal. Thus, he provides Light and prosperity to everyone. That is why Jacob, the combination of the right and left lines, was so respected.

However, this combination is only beneficial to Egypt. It increases egoism, but that is insufficient; one has to keep growing. Therefore, once Jacob raised egoism to a great size, he completed his role.

The egoistic desire grew by virtue of the spiritual force, and when it stops growing, that’s when “the seven years of hunger” start, forcing a person to ascend to a higher level. We see how holiness works for the benefit of Klipa and how Klipa works for the benefit of holiness. Thus, there is no such thing as “evil” or “good.” If a person uses them correctly, they all bring him to the goal.

From the program “Weekly Torah Portion” on 12/16/10

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From Egyptian Darkness Into Light
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