The Courage to Revisit: Finding Gratitude in the Depths (Vayechi)
It’s hard to fully express the weight of this moment, the convergence of heartbreak and resilience. As we witness the devastation in California, especially around Los Angeles, our hearts ache for those who have lost everything. We are called not only to pray but to act — wisely, passionately, and with care. This is what it means to live in covenant with one another and with God. Please consider visiting https://www.ujafedny.org/disaster-relief-fund to support disaster relief efforts. Standing in solidarity with those affected, including the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles and countless other organizations, is part of who we are. It’s what we are called to do.
We pray for the emergency responders — firefighters and others — who risk their lives in these perilous circumstances. The losses are staggering: lives, homes, memories, sacred spaces. These moments remind us of how vulnerable we all are. And yet, while we hold Am Yisrael close — especially over the 462 days since October 7, 2023 — we are also reminded that we are part of the greater world. Our neighbors are our neighbors, no matter their faith or background, and we share in both vulnerability and responsibility.
The stark realities of climate change underscore our interconnectedness and the urgency of our collective action. This is not about “them” or “us.” It’s about all of us as reflections of the Divine, called to be partners in creation, to demand bold leadership that protects our fragile planet, and to build a future where such tragedies are not the norm.
This week’s parashah, Vayechi, marks the conclusion of the Book of Genesis, a chapter steeped in life and loss. The portion begins with a declaration: “And Jacob lived. (Gen. 47:28)” Yet, paradoxically, it is filled with death — Jacob’s and, eventually, Joseph’s. The tension here is profound. Mortality does not define the narrative; life does. Jacob’s story, Yosef’s story, our story — it’s all about the urgent, sacred work of living.
A midrash on this parashah tells us that after burying his father, Joseph returns to the pit where his brothers had once cast him (Genesis Rabbah 100:8). Imagine the courage it takes to revisit the site of such pain. And yet, the midrash says Joseph did this to recite the blessing we say when we return to a place where a miracle occurred for us. He transformed a site of betrayal into a moment of gratitude.
This idea resonates deeply in times of trauma and loss. It reminds us that even in the darkest places, there is a path forward — a way to revisit pain and, with time and courage, find healing. Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz reflects on this midrash, comparing it to survivors revisiting places of profound suffering: a soldier returning to a battlefield, a Holocaust survivor journeying to a concentration camp (Returning to Joseph’s Pit, 2025). These acts are not about erasing pain but about reclaiming agency and gratitude, even in the face of profound hurt.
Friends, as we conclude the Book of Genesis, let us carry this lesson forward. Every morning is a blessing, every day a possibility, even amidst the pain. May we find the strength to revisit the pits of our lives, to see them not only as places of suffering but also as reminders of resilience and miracles.
We pray for healing — for the people of California, for the hostages, for Am Yisrael, and for all who are in need. And we pray that one day, the next steps we take, no matter how tentative, will bring us closer to a world of peace, wholeness, and love. May the story of our ancestors inspire us to write new chapters of strength, compassion, and hope.
Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek — Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.