In the Torah, every word, every title, is carefully chosen — even the names of the parshas reflect their essence. But here’s a question that strikes at the heart of the matter:
Why is this parsha called Vayechi — “And He Lived” — when it begins by describing the passing of Yaakov Avinu?
The Depth of Life
The answer lies in the true meaning of life.
Life in its deepest sense isn’t something temporary or fleeting.
Real life is eternal.
There are ups and downs in every human life. But these are not the essence of life.
True life, the life of the Almighty, is constant, unchanging — it never stops.
That’s why we say of G-d:
“The Lord is the true G-d, the living G-d.”
His life is eternal, and therefore, it is truly alive.
How Can We Be Alive?
So how can mere mortals like us tap into this eternal life?
By connecting to G-d.
Because G-d is the source of all true life, anyone who is connected to Him — really, truly connected — is considered to be alive.
We find this in the Torah:
“You who cling to the Lord your G-d — you are all alive today.”
It’s through clinginess to G-d, through living with His presence in our hearts, that we connect to real, lasting life.
The Power of Struggles
This truth becomes most visible in moments of difficulty.
When life is smooth and calm, it’s easy to go along without fully grasping the depth of our spiritual connection.
But when we face challenges, obstacles, or hardships in our service of G-d — and we overcome them — that’s when our deepest connection to G-d is revealed.
It’s in those struggles that our true life shines brightest.
Life in Egypt
Now we understand why this parsha is called Vayechi.
It’s not when Yaakov is in the land of Israel, surrounded by holiness and peace, that his deepest connection to G-d is fully revealed.
Rather, it is when he descends to Egypt — the “abomination of the earth” — and faces the depths of exile, that his eternal life becomes clear.
Even in Egypt, amidst the dangers and challenges, Yaakov and his children maintain their holiness and righteousness. And in that moment, the world sees: Yaakov is truly alive. His life transcends time and place.
Eternal Life in Exile
The Talmud teaches:
“Yaakov Avinu did not die; just as his children are alive, so too is he alive.”
The continuation of the Jewish people, in their bond with G-d — that is Yaakov’s true, eternal life.
And this is why the parsha is called Vayechi:
Even in the darkest of times, in the depths of exile, the eternal life of Yaakov shines through.
A Timeless Lesson for Us
What does this mean for us today, in our own exile?
Even when the world around us is full of challenges, when it seems like there’s no way out, and when the path to redemption seems far — we still study Torah, we still keep mitzvot, and we still believe in redemption.
At these moments, we tap into that eternal life of Yaakov, that life which connects us to G-d, no matter the circumstances.
It’s in these moments that we see:
The Torah and G-d are the true life of the Jewish people.
When we cling to G-d in times of hardship, we connect to eternal life itself.
Just like Yaakov, our lives transcend the limits of time and place.
This is the essence of the Jewish soul — eternal and unbreakable. Just as Yaakov continues to live through his children, we, too, continue to live through our unwavering connection to G-d and our unwavering belief in the ultimate redemption.