Parsha: Yisrael and Yaakov

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When I was studying in yeshiva, I asked one of the rabbis if there was a specific reason why the Torah occasionally refers to Yaakov by his name and other times as Yisrael.

The rabbi was of the opinion that the name Yisrael is used in a context that has national and historical significance, while Yaakov is used when referring to the specific family of the patriarch and their personal experiences.

This theory is nice, but on close examination it does not hold water.

In chapter 48 of this week’s parsha, for example, Yaakov is almost entirely referred to as Yisrael, and much of the text relates to the man himself and his personal experience. Some of this may have historical significance, but it is not exhaustively so, and the theory remains inconclusive.

The gemara (Taanit 5b) makes the bold claim that “Yaakov avinu lo met — Yaakov our forefather did not die.” The premise of this statement is that while different terms refer to the end of his life, the term “mitah,” which would refer to death, does not appear when the Torah talks about his death.

If we look carefully at the appearance of Yaakov in Parshat Vaychi, an interesting point emerges. “Yaakov” remains a symbol of strength — recall it was Yaakov who struggled with Lavan, and later with the angel who changed his name after their encounter. “Yisrael,” on the other hand, is the side of him that puts his house in order. While Yaakov lived in Egypt for 17 years, Yisrael is the one who is getting ready to die. Yisrael’s eyes are getting old and weak. Yisrael blesses Yosef, Yosef’s sons, and later his own sons (Yaakov calls them together, but Yisrael blesses them). Even when the Torah describes the end of his life, we are told “Yaakov concluded his instructions, drew his feet onto the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.” (49:33)

Yosef begins his mourning and instructs his servants and physicians to embalm his father, and “the physicians embalmed Yisrael.” Perhaps this is the meaning of the passage in Taanit. Yaakov did not die… but Yisrael did.

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