Vayechi: Chapter 11

"Rachel died by me on the way"

Synopsis

Rabbi Aba begins by explaining the discrepancy in the verb tense in "they have come back," used in The Creator's promise for the future. Rabbi Aba then explains how Rabbi Elazar answers that the Shechinah will think her children have died by judgment. Only then will she return to her husband. "Rachel weeping" refers to the Shechinah being told by her husband that her children have perished. Only then will He tell her that her children have been redeemed. God then tells her that those who have died in the war will be resurrected. Rabbi Shimon tells us that the quotation refers to the Shechinah's children who die in the war, but are resurrected and will return to Efrat, the Land of Yisrael. Rabbi Aba finally explains the meaning of Lechem, derived from Milchamah (war), and "fought" (lacham).

Relevance

Two paths to the final redemption lie before us, a path of destruction - war and death - and a path of mercy that offers us protection, the path of spiritual transformation. We have the free will to choose our fate. In the end, all the souls of mankind will be resurrected and the arrival of the The Messiah will bring immortality and endless fulfillment. The Light that radiates from this passage of Zohar awakens the wisdom to walk the path of spiritual transformation. It helps accelerate the arrival of the Resurrection and the The Messiah through the path of mercy for all mankind.