The Final Message1 min read

“And Yaakov finished commanding his children and he pulled his feet onto the bed and he expired and was gathered unto his nation”

The Torah teaches that in the final moments before his passing, “Vayeiaseif raglav el hamita”, Yaakov Avinu pulled his feet onto his bed. We know that each word in the Torah carries tremendous significance and relevance. Why is it important for the Torah to mention this seemingly trivial detail?

Perhaps we can suggest the following answer. The tzaddikim teach that Yaakov Avinu’s essence bespoke the truth of “Ein shum yeiush b’olam klal”, there is never reason for a Jew to despair. This is hinted in many episodes related to Yaakov Avinu. Yaakov’s crossed the Yabok River to retrieve the “pachim ketanim”, the small jars which, we are taught, are linked to the small jar of pure oil found amidst the destruction of the temple in the story of Chanukah. This jar represents the innate purity of the Jewish soul which, even when all other facets of the Jew’s being have been rendered impure, forever remains perfectly pristine and may be used to rededicate the enter Temple of our being.

Another example of this concept in relation to Yaakov is the tefilla of maariv which he established. The message of this tefillah is that even when the sun of clarity and spiritual light has set in one’s life and all is dark, there is still reason to pray, there is always hope for a brighter future.

Chazal teach that “mitaso shleimah”, Yaakov’s bed (a reference to the Shevatim) symbolized spiritual perfection. With his last ounce of energy, Yaakov pulls his feet, the “heels of klal Yisrael“, the lowly sinners of the final generation, ikvisa d’meshicha, into his bed of perfection. With this action, Yaakov signals, one final time, that regardless of how dark a person’s spiritual situation may seem, there is always hope in a new beginning and the ever-present opportunity to rebuild a relationship with our loving Father in heaven.