Page 646 - BERESHIT

The parashah of Vayechi is a ‘closed’ parashah. This also refers to
something which is concealed or suppressed. When Yaakov Avinu passed
away, the eyes and hearts of Am Yisrael were ‘closed’ by the enormity of
the galut which was about to take place. Secondly, Yaakov Avinu wanted
to reveal when the end of galut would be, but it was subsequently
withheld from him.

If Yaakov was still alive and well, why were their eyes ‘closed’ from the
impending servitude? The bondage did not yet officially start until after
the last of the Shevatim passed away.

Yaakov was the pillar of Torah. With his passing, the Torah he had
received would disappear, and this signaled, more than anything else, the
start of galut.

Moshe Rabbeinu’s blessing to Am Yisrael begins with the words, “This
is the berachah…” Yaakov’s blessing lacked such an introduction as the