Closed Parsha

Parshat Vayechi is known as a פרשה סתומה, a closed Parsha. This is the only time that we do not find in the Torah scroll, some kind of spacing between the end of one Parsha, and the beginning of the next Parsha.

On a deeper level, the “closed Parsha,” refers to the fact that Yakov wished to reveal to his children, the ultimate redemption, and it was “closed” for him. In other words, he realized that he was not allowed to give over this information at that time.

There are many explanations as to why this permission was not granted. One answer was that it may have demoralized his family, had they known that the redemption would take such a long time.

There is an important lesson learned from the Rabbis. There is a statement that says that just as there are certain things that must be said by us, there are also certain things that must not be said.

For example, a doctor is only given permission to heal. He is not allowed to pronounce a death sentence on a patient. He can tell the family that their loved one is very ill, but they must not make predictions as to how much longer, his patient will live. He is to conceal that information. If asked, he should say, “I’m a doctor,, not a prophet.”

Similarly, we must learn to be extremely careful with our words. We must think carefully as to whether what we are about to say will be useful and have good results.

Often people do not recover from insults hurled at them, or other demeaning comments, that should have been avoided.

Yakov thought it would have been a good idea to assure his children that the redemption will come. Fortunately, Hashem helped guide him so that no unintended harm would come to the new Jewish nation that was being formed.