Vayechi: Chapter 82

"The mourning of Egypt"

Synopsis

Rabbi Yitzchak sheds light on the term, "the mourning of Egypt." We are told that when Jacob resided in Egypt, "the land was blessed, waters flowed and famine ceased." For this reason, scripture reads, "the mourning of Egypt" and not "the mourning of Israel [Jacob]."

Next, the significance of the word "utter" is examined in a particular verse of Torah. Yemalel, the Hebrew word for "utter," denotes the concept of severance and cutting. In the context of verse quoted by the Zohar, the word "utter" signifies the annulment and cancellation of judgments that emanate from the Sfirah of Gvurah, the Left Column force of Judgment.

Thereafter, we discover that the Egyptians were adept in the black arts and sorcery. However, while Jacob lived in this physical world, no nation, no matter how well versed in magic, could rule over Yisrael. Moreover, upon Jacob's passing from this physical plane, the Egyptians realized that Judgment would still rain down upon them; hence the term, "the mourning of Egypt."

Rabbi Shimon then reveals that upon his merit, he can protect those who are destined for death as a result of their wicked deeds, specifically, two Roman informers. He chooses not to.

Relevance

Our connection to Jacob helps ensure that Light flows into our lives even during times of great Judgment and negativity. The additional spiritual influences arising herein, help annul Judgments that are handed down against us in the supernal courts. Finally, the exalted Light of the author of the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon, protects us from the Angel of Death, even though we might not merit exoneration.