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The "Seventy Souls" of Israel \ Parashat Vayechei
D'var Torah: "And Yaacov lived in Egypt for seventeen years" (Bereishis 47:28). The powerful famine prevailed on Yaacov Avinu, forcing him to take his family out of Eretz Yisrael. Nevertheless, as Yaacov journeyed to Egypt, he feared that the pervasive impurity of Egypt would contaminate the holy souls of his family. He was concerned that if his descendants lost their spiritual vitality, they would not have the spiritual resilience to extract themselves from Egypt. Therefore, HaShem promised Yaacov, "I will descend with you to Egypt and I shall surely bring you up." Meaning, the Shechinah would accompany Yaacov Avinu to Egypt. The holy Shechinah would empower the "seventy souls" of Yaacov"s family with the spiritual strength and vibrancy needed to emerge from Egypt, whole and intact. Even more, the "seventy souls" of Yaacov's family held the power to sanctify the "seventy nations" of the world!
Moral: The holy Shechinah fortifies Klal Yisrael, the offspring of the "seventy souls," with supernatural strength to maintain their spiritual balance in every situation and environment. In addition, we -- the Jewish People -- have the power to uplift and illuminate all of mankind with the light of HaShem.
Application: Envision the "seventy souls" of Yaacov's family. Just as the Shechinah shines upon them, and gives them spiritual integrity, so too, the holy Shechinah shines upon us and surrounds us with all of its countless blessings. Sense the dynamic power of the "seventy souls" that radiates in your soul and have the awareness of being a "light unto the nations." (Based on the commentary of the Bas Ayin)
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