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Vayechi

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V Q G B P O H C Y R J J P V E H Y U P Q P C F D I B J R F L E O T H S X

P K F K G B P K E Z E Y

Two great Brachos are given by Yaakov as he nears his time to leave this world. These are so special that they accompany us to this day. The first is Yesimcha Elokim, where Yaakov tells his dear grandsons that every parent will wish their child to be like Ephraim and Menashe. The second is Hamalach HaGoel, where he blesses them to carry the name of his and his father and grandfather, to remember the special people they come from and to in turn have children who multiply like fish.

Yaakov then gathers his children round and wants to reveal to them the date for Moshiach’s arrival, but that knowledge is suddenly taken away from him.

He then tell each one of them which areas they need to improve on. One is too hasty, two of the others too quick to anger. He compares the might of Yehuda to a lion, the swiftness of Naftali to a deer. Yissocher, who represents those who work hard in acquiring Torah, is compared to an animal carrying a great load – but by choice. And so on and so forth.

Yaakov then passes away at 147. Everyone in Egypt – his family and the general people alike are saddened.

Yosef brothers then beg his forgiveness for how they treated him. He tells them they need not worry as Hashem has been behind the whole story and look what goodness came from it.

Yosef dies at 110, but only after asking that he should eventually be buried in Eretz Yisrael, which will happen when the Jews arrive there after forty years in the desert.

This week is extra special as it is the week we all say “Chazak Chazak Venischazek” on finishing the first book of the Torah Bereishis, YAY! BLESSING • BONES • CANAAN • EGYPT • EPHRAIM • MENASHE • YAAKOV • YOSEF

Chaim was sitting at lunch with his friends.

“You are going to beat them, no problem!” exclaimed Chezky, who was sitting opposite Chaim, slurping his orange juice. “You have Tzvi, and you know what a whizz he is at memorising Mishnayos.”

“That’s very true,” nodded Ari. “Without him though, I doubt we would be able to.”

Chaim got up, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Well then let’s hope he gets better before Monday. My Ima told me that his Ima said he has the flu.”

It was Friday, school finished early and Shabbos arrived soon after.

That night in shul Chaim met his friend Elazar.

“I heard,” said Elazar, “that Tzvi is really not well. There is no way he is going to be able to do the inter-school quiz on Monday.”

“Oh no,” said Chaim. “We can’t do it without him!”

That night Chaim tossed and turned. How were they going to win without Tzvi’s help?

Shabbos morning arrived and Abba and Chaim went to shul. It was Vayechi, the end of Sefer Bereishis and Shabbos Chazak. At the end of the leining everyone cried out “Chazak, Chazak V’Nischazeik”. Chaim felt like Hashem was giving him a message, not to give up and to be strong. Maybe he and his friends could learn the mishnayos they had been relying on Tzvi to learn for them.

Motzei shabbos, Chaim got on the phone and called all his quiz teammates to ask them to come over straight after Cheder on Sunday morning.

Ima served Chaim and his friends a delicious lunch of homemade pizza and chips, and then the boys went off to Chaim’s bedroom to discuss the quiz.

“We are never going to do it.” said Elazar mournfully. “Tzvi was the one who knew all the mishnayos.”

Chaim looked around at his friends.

“We each have our own strengths, like Yaakov’s sons each had their own strengths. Elazar, you are good at Chumash, I am good at Nach and Ari is good at Halacha. Yes, ideally Tzvi would be answering the mishnayos questions in the quiz, but he is ill. That doesn’t mean we should give up! In fact, this is an opportunity to improve our mishnayos knowledge.”

“You’re right!” exclaimed Ari. “We can do this!”

The boys studied hard for the rest of the day. They all went to bed that night feeling nervous for the quiz, but proud of all the learning they had done.

Monday morning flew by for Chaim and suddenly it was 2:00pm. The guest team from Kol Yaakov had arrived at Beis Moshe and it was time for the quiz to start.

Elazar, Ari and Chaim nervously took their places. Questions came at both teams thick and fast. Sometimes Kol Yaakov’s team were ahead and sometimes Beis Moshe’s team were. It was going to be a close finish.

“Last question” said Rabbi Epstein, organiser of the quiz. “The points are currently tied at 25 for both teams, so whoever answers this correctly is the winner.”

The boys on both teams quivered nervously.

“In mishnayos Succos, the mishna talks about whether a succah is valid if it is on top of a camel or on the deck of a ship. Are these two types of succah valid and are there any issues with using them on Succos?”

Chaim, Ari and Elazar looked at each other.

“I think they are both valid,” whispered Elazar.

“But there must be something about using them on Succos that the Rav is referring to.” replied Chaim worriedly.

Ari perked up and raised his hand. “They are both valid types of Succah, but you can use the boat on Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed, but the camel succah only on Chol Hamoed.”

“Well done!” said Rabbi Epstein. “The winners are team Beis Moshe!”

Everyone in the audience started cheering and clapping. Chaim’s team had strengthened themselves in learning and had won the quiz.