Vayechi: Chapter 37

"Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall"

Synopsis

Rabbi Yehuda explains that he who does not beget children in this world has no life or existence in the World to Come. Therefore, because Hezekiah had no wife or children, he prayed with his face to the wall, an allusion to the Shechinah, so that the Shechinah would be with him. Hezekiah then chose a wife and prayed to The Creator. We learn that he kept and guarded the Covenant, and that he wept before God for redemption.

Relevance

The miraculous power of childbirth is transferred to all those experiencing difficulty bearing children. This divine force also strengthens spiritual bonds between parent and child for those who are blessed with children.