Vayechi: Chapter 54

"Reuben, you are my firstborn"

Synopsis

The discussion first reveals that the title verse indicates that Jacob placed Reuben's blessings in the hands of God to hold until Reuben was worthy of them.

Rabbi Elazar then comments on the verse, "Prophesy to the wind," revealing that it alludes to the lower and upper awakening of wisdom. Rabbi Shimon then explains why God brings souls into the world knowing that they will one day die. We also learn that when the soul ascends to be attached to Malchut, it becomes perfected and Malchut and Zeir Anpin are united.

Finally, we are told that when Jacob departed from the world, the Shechinah was in front of his bed. Seeing this, he gathered his sons around Her and he blessed his sons.

Relevance

Sometimes a person performs a positive action, but their previous sins create a black hole of negativity that consumes their rewards. However, the Light that we arouse in life can be entrusted into the hands of The Creator until such time that we cleanse ourselves of our negativity. Then we can receive our recompense. It's interesting to note that the Hebrew word for sin also means "to give over." This passage ensures that our Light is given over to The Creator for safekeeping, as opposed to the dark forces that seek to nourish from it. The power of Jacob's blessings, plus the energy of the Shechinah and the uniting of our Lower World with the Upper, takes place when our eyes allow the Light of these mystical verses to shine upon our souls. Other benefits associated with this Light include protection and the removal of darkness from the world and our personal lives.