PARSHAT VAYECHI – THINK ABOUT ME · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס "ד

In this week’s Torah reading we learn about about the last years of Yaakov’s life. There is an interesting conversation between him and Yosef about Yaakov’s burial place that sheds light into how we have to think about G-d, in general, and about Mashiach in particular. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 25, p. 270

Why Did Jacob Make Joseph Swear?

A Deeper Look into Parashat Vayechi

Jacob’s Final Request

In this week’s Torah reading, we learn about the final years of Jacob’s life in the land of Egypt. Jacob lived there for the last seventeen years of his life. As he sensed that his time was coming to an end, he called his son Joseph and made a very specific request:

“Please, when I pass away, do not bury me in Egypt. Take me to the land of Canaan and bury me in the burial place of my forefathers.”

Joseph immediately agreed and said that he would fulfill his father’s request. But Jacob did not stop there. He added one more demand:

“Swear to me.”

Joseph then swore that he would do exactly as his father asked.

At first glance, this exchange raises a simple but powerful question: Did Jacob not trust Joseph?

A Question of Trust

Joseph was not just any son. He was righteous, loyal, and powerful, the viceroy of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. If Joseph said he would do something, surely his word could be trusted. Why, then, did Jacob insist on an oath?

Later in the Torah, we find a similar scene in reverse. Before Joseph himself passes away, he makes the Jewish people swear that they will take his bones with them and bury him in the land of Canaan when they leave Egypt. And indeed, when the Exodus finally occurs, they do exactly that.

So why the need for swearing in both cases?

The Classic Explanation: Pharaoh

Many classical commentators explain that Jacob’s oath was not about mistrust at all. It was actually for Joseph’s benefit—specifically in relation to Pharaoh.

When the time came for Joseph to bury his father, he needed Pharaoh’s permission to leave Egypt. Pharaoh initially resisted. Jacob had brought immense blessing to Egypt during his lifetime, and Pharaoh did not want him buried elsewhere. According to the Midrash, the Egyptians even wanted to deify Jacob.

Joseph explained to Pharaoh that he was bound by an oath: he had sworn to his father to bury him in Canaan. Pharaoh responded, “Then go, bury your father as you swore to him.”

The sages explain that Pharaoh knew about this oath because Joseph had leverage: Joseph had once sworn to Pharaoh that he would never reveal the fact that Pharaoh did not know Hebrew. When Pharaoh realized this, he had no choice but to allow Joseph to fulfill his oath to his father.

Rashi’s Silence—and What It Teaches Us

Interestingly, Rashi, the commentator who focuses on the plain meaning of the text, does not explain Jacob’s demand for an oath at the moment it happens. Rashi only mentions the oath later, when Joseph speaks to Pharaoh.

This silence is meaningful. It suggests that on a simple level, the oath must be understood on its own terms, not merely as a political maneuver.

So what was Jacob really doing?

The Power of an Oath

The Rebbe explains this in a profound yet simple way.

There is a fundamental difference between saying you will do something and swearing that you will do it.

When a person says, “I will do this,” the commitment exists, but it can remain in the background of the mind. Life continues, distractions arise, and other responsibilities take center stage. Even with good intentions, the promise may not occupy one’s full awareness.

But when a person swears an oath, the commitment becomes central. It is no longer in the background—it is at the forefront of consciousness. An oath engages a person’s very life-force. No matter what circumstances arise, the person remains constantly aware of the obligation and waits actively for the moment it can be fulfilled.

Jacob wanted Joseph to live with this awareness. He wanted Joseph to never stop thinking about his burial and to be fully prepared to act the moment it became possible.

Beyond Intellect

There is another, even deeper layer.

Words operate within intellect and reason. A person can always find justifications, explanations, or circumstances that change how they act. But an oath goes beyond intellect. It bypasses calculation and reasoning.

Joseph was deeply embedded in Egyptian society. He ran the country, managed its economy, and dealt with constant political pressures. Jacob understood that logic and circumstance could one day interfere.

By making Joseph swear, Jacob elevated him above those constraints. No matter what obstacles arose, political, social, or emotional, the oath would stand.

Jacob himself lived this way. Even in Egypt, he was not truly “in exile.” He lived apart, in the land of Goshen, disconnected from Egyptian culture. Joseph, however, was immersed in it. Jacob wanted to lift Joseph to his own spiritual level.

A Lesson for Our Own Lives

This story is not only about burial places. It carries a timeless message about how we relate to G-d and our purpose in life.

Our connection to G-d cannot be occasional.

It cannot be something we think about “when we have time.” Judaism does not recognize a division between “holy moments” and “neutral moments.” Every aspect of life, work, rest, eating, even the most mundane activities—is governed by divine law and infused with G-dliness.

Our relationship with G-d must be like an oath: constant, conscious, and all-encompassing.

The same applies to our belief in Mashiach. One of the Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith states:

“Even if he delays, I will wait for him every single day.”

Not just every day—but all day.

Faith is not something we turn on and off. It is meant to shape our awareness at every moment.

Living with Purpose

Jacob wanted Joseph, and us, to live with unwavering focus. To carry our mission not as a distant idea, but as a living, breathing commitment.

Not from time to time.
Not only when convenient.
But always.

Charla del rabino Tuvia Serber

Lo anterior es una representación del texto hablado convertido en texto escrito.

Nuestros blogs pueden contener textos/citas/referencias/enlaces que incluyan material protegido por derechos de autor de
Mechon-Mamre.org, Aish.com, Sefaria.org, Jabad.orgy/o AskNoah.orgque utilizamos de acuerdo con sus políticas.