I’ve often wondered why the Jewish people are most often referred to as Beni Yisrael- the sons of Israel. Israel was the name that Yaakov received after his struggle with the angel a few weeks ago; so when we are referred to as Bnei Yisrael, we are really being called the sons of Yaakov? Why aren’t we the sons of Avraham or Yitzchak? They are our forefathers too? We even refer to Avraham as Avraham Aveinu, Avraham our father. What is it about Yaakov that he merits the Jewish people being named as his children?

Well in this week’s Parsha, Vayechi, Yaakov dies. Or so we think. The passuk says “And Jacob concluded commanding his sons, and he drew his legs [up] into the bed, and expired and was brought in to his people.” This is a kind of an interesting way to phrase his death. When the Torah discussed both Avraham and Yitzchak’s death, it uses the wording “expired and died.” So why for Yaakov does it only use the word expired? Rashi comments on this saying that by no mention of Yaakov actually dying, we can conclude that our father Yaakov didn’t actually die. Hold on a second there Rashi, what do you mean Yaakov never died? That’s impossible!

A statement made in the Talmud by Rav Yochanan can explain this seemingly unusual commentary. He says, “The verse likens Yaakov to his children, and as his children are alive, so too is he alive.” So this makes sense I guess, Yaakov was a role model for his children and his legacy and teachings lived on through them. But couldn’t you still say the same about Avraham and Yitzchak?

Each of the Avot had their own defining character trait: Avraham was chessed or kindness, Yitzchak was Gevurah or strength, and Yaakov was Emes or truth. While each of the Avot were and still are role models for their children and the Jewish people, Yaakov accomplished one thing that the other two didn’t. All of Yaakov’s children remained Jewish and carried on the nation, through unprecedented difficulty. When the torah omits the word “death” in reference to Yaakov, it’s telling us that Yaakov and his truth, still fully lived on through all of his descendants. That despite all of the anti-Semitism and bad influences that existed in Egypt at the time, the Jewish people lived on. The truth of the torah and of Hashem is immortal.

When we are referred to as the Children of Israel, of Jacob, it is true in both a literal and symbolic way. We are direct descendants from Yaakov, and we are also the children of truth. We as the Jewish people have a responsibility to be the “Or legoyim,” the “light among the nations” and exemplify Yaakov and Hashem’s truth and we can never let that truth die.

Good Shabbos.