Hacham Yosef Tzarfati


THE DAILY SAGE CALENDAR:
< Nisan 5784 April 2024 >
אבגדהוש
 כב/1כג/2כד/3כה/4כו/5כז/6
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כ/28כא/29כב/30    
A few quotes from the Rabbi on 'Customs of Israel'
in which he teaches that a father's blessing will not apply to brothers whose hearts have been estranged
"And Jacob called his sons and said, Come together that I may tell you what is to befall you in days to come. Assemble and hearken, O sons of Jacob; Hearken to Israel your father." This raises a question. Having said "Come together that I may tell you", why does the text repeat itself and say, "Assemble and hearken"? He had already told them to come together. Second, why does it first say, "sons of Jacob" and then repeat, "to Israel your father"? Third, "and hearken", and then "hearken", a second time – why?
When he wanted to bless them, our forefather Jacob, may he rest in peace, did indeed say "Come together that I may tell you". But then he saw that despite their being together in one place, their hearts were not together, that they were estranged, and the blessing could not apply in a situation where there were differences and division. He therefore repeated himself, saying, "Assemble and hearken, O sons of Jacob" – join your hearts together.
"Come together" – You will not be righteous and called "sons of Jacob" and the blessing will apply, for the name Jacob is used when he is not worthy, since it says, "But you have not worshipped Me, O Jacob" but "that you should be weary of Me, O Israel". Our Sages, of blessed memory, said, "Greatest is peace" – even if Israel worships wood and stone, Satan cannot testify against them, since it says, "Ephraim is addicted to images – Let him be." Even if the blessing will apply when you are "sons of Jacob" it is worthy that you be righteous, and "Hearken to Jacob your father" – until the name Israel is applied to you.
Yad Yosef, Hayei Sarah Torah Reading Portion, Third Sermon, p. 29a. Printed by Immanuel son of Yosef Attias, of blessed memory, Amsterdam, 1700
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