Vayechi: Chapter 16

Two camels

Synopsis

Rabbi Yosi starts by saying that the springs of wisdom were stopped when Rabbi Shimon died. He then explains how Rabbi Yehuda failed to fulfill the words of the verse when he came upon bundles of woolen clothes, which had fallen off two camels and were being attacked by birds. A man walks by and points out his failure to drive the birds away. Rabbi Yosi then explains Rabbi Yehuda's subsequent dream, and that when he woke up, he knew Rabbi Shimon's death caused wisdom to depart from the earth. Rabbi Aba then reveals that manna is the secret of the Torah, but they are "to be kept," which means hidden.

Relevance

When a great soul departs this physical existence, the full measure of spiritual Light revealed though his lifelong deeds, is awakened each year on the day of his passing. Rabbi Shimon's deeds included the revelation of the Zohar, the mystical secrets of the Torah, and the soul of the universe. Thus, the brightest of all Lights shines forth in this passage at the mention of Rabbi Shimon's leaving this world. This Light helps to strengthen our connection to the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon, and the hidden Light of the Torah.