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Parshat Vayechi - Life in the physical realm and eternal life

The name of this week's Torah portion, "Vayechi" is very bewildering indeed. "Vayechi" means and he lived. In contrast, we see that one of the main topics in this week's Torah portion deals with Jacob's demise. Our holy Rabbis, may their memories be blessed, say that Jacob didn't die..."Just as his children are alive, so is he..." This week's Torah reading sheds a lot of light on a number of issues, which seemingly aren't understood. For example, why is the Torah reading called "Vayechi"? How is it possible that Jacob's best years were spent in Egypt? Why do we consider his not passing different than other occasions when we say the same thing about another righteous person? Chabad Chassidic Philosophy, "Chassidut Chabad" gives us a deeper understanding of the essential make up of this week's parsha, "Vayechi", while at the same time illuminates our minds and hearts as to what the life of a righteous person is all about.

	Egypt – The good years
	The word in Hebrew for good is “tov”. Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet also has a numerical value. The numerical value of the word “tov” is 17, the same number of years Jacob lived in Egypt. The “Baal Haturim” explains that these 17 years in Egypt were the best years of his life. How can that be? How is it possible that Jacob (referred to as the most sublime, spiritually, of the forefathers) had the best years of his life in Egypt?
	[ For further reference click: לקוטי שיחות כרך י' עמוד 160]
	To learn how to live well in Egypt too
	The Rebbe gives his blessings in the week Parshat Vayechi is read.
	[ For further reference click: אגרות קודש כרך כ' עמוד 109]
	"Vayechi"? (And he lived?) Nonetheless, Jacob requested that upon his demise, he should be carried out of Egypt
	The best of Jacob's years were spent in Egypt in such a way that he was able to live a true life. Nonetheless, he didn't forget, even for a moment that he was in Egypt, and therefore screamed out in prayer that "he should be carried out of Egypt".
	[ For further reference click: התוועדויות שנת תשמ"ג כרך ד' עמוד 2090]
	The concept of "Vayechi" means that the Jew dominates the
	We emphasize the concept of "Vayechi" more as we approach the Messianic Era.
	[ For further reference click: התוועדויות שנת תנש"א כרך ב' עמוד 94]
	Jacob requested life and we request redemption
	Jacob's first words upon his arrival in Egypt were, "...My life wasn't as long as that of my forefathers..." How did Jacob know this? Maybe G-d will prolong his life?
	[ For further reference click: התוועדויות שנת תשמ"ו כרך ב' עמוד 365]