“…Raised on the knees of Yosef”. (Bereishis 50:23)

Rashi explains that the Torah is telling us that Yosef was blessed to be a zeide. To have the nachas of seeing grandchildren, of “putting them on his knees” – being part of their lives and a positive influence in their upbringing.

Several years back, I participated in a Yarchei Kallah in Eretz Yisroel. We were fortunate to be addressed by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, a former Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rabbi Lau is a most amazing storyteller, and quick to share his life experiences. As I read the above posuk, it reminded of one of the Rabbi’s many stories.

Rabbi Lau spoke of a trip of his to Russia. It was soon after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the gates had just opened up, and a limited number of Jews were free to emigrate from Russia to Israel. At

the same time, rabbis and Torah teachers were welcomed into shuls that were previously shuttered.

Rabbi Lau made his way to Moscow. He reached out to the Jewish community, speaking from his heart, imparting words of chizuk, strength and encouragement.

Rabbi Lau noticed the same elderly man sitting towards the back of the room at all of his lectures. He would try to connect to his listener, but the man would disappear soon after each lecture.

The last night of Rabbi Lau’s stay in Moscow, he stayed on and on, speaking to members of the community who approached him to discuss various personal matters. The same elderly man was at the lecture, but this time he stayed on, keeping to himself in the back row.

The hour was late. The room emptied out. The elderly gentleman approached Rabbi Lau. “Oy… Oy… Oy…”, and he said nothing more. Rabbi Lau invited the man to return to the hotel with him.

After many sighs, and even more oy’s, the man opened up. He spoke about his difficult and challenging life in Russia. How hard it was to live as a Jew after many years of religious oppression by the Communist regime. “If only I could daven at the Kosel… if only I could cry at Kever Rachel…. at Me’oras Hamachpelah…”

“Come back with me”, Rabbi Lau kindly said. “You will be welcomed in Eretz Yisroel. I will help you.”

“I wish, I wish” cried the man. “You see, Rabbi, I have one daughter. A daughter who married out of the faith. She has two sons. Two sons who I love dearly, they are mine. They live a distance away. But every Sunday I get on the train. I travel to them. I go to their house. I put a grandson on one knee, and another grandson on the other knee. I tell them stories of Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov. I tell them of Moshe Rabbeinu, Rabbi Akiva and Hillel. If I don’t tell them, who will? They are my einiklach, my grandchildren. I have to stay and be a

zeide for them.”

With those words, the elderly man broke down and cried uncontrollably.

Rabbi Lau bentched him, that one day the entire family will make it to Eretz Yisroel, and he will see much nachas from them.

A zeide’s love is so ever powerful. From where did that elderly man get the strength to make the grueling trip, traveling hours on a train, week after week? From where did he get the fortitude to put his grandchildren on his knees and share stories of our avos, our patriarchs and leaders, the tzaddikim of our nation?

The elderly Jew in Moscow is a descendent of Yosef HaTzaddik, carrying his spiritual genes. Yosef, who put his children on his knees. Yosef, who while being a leader in Egypt, was a zeide to his grandchildren. Yosef could have easily said, “I’m busy, I’m managing the economy of a vast empire. I’m involved in politics. I’m second in command to the Pharaoh.” But through his actions, Yosef made a statement. Family comes first. He took the time out to “put a child on his knee”.

From Yosef we learn the importance

of building a relationship with our children and grandchildren. To share stories of our heritage, to put them on our knees. To imbue them with a sense of pride and purpose. In doing so, we benefit as well. Our lives become more purposeful and enriched.

The Book of Bereishis closes with the death of Yosef. The end of an era. In this week’s parsha, Vayechi, the family of Yaakov loses both their father and their brother. They are left alone, leaderless in Egypt. Difficult days are on the horizon. They will soon be ruled over by a Pharaoh who “didn’t know Yosef”, nor did he recognize the good Yosef did for the country. Looming ahead are days of slavery, hard labor, and infanticide. Yet, as we conclude this week’s parsha, we all rise and exclaim, “Chazak, Chazak, V’nischazeik, Be strong, Be strong and Be strengthened!” What an important message to eternalize. Despite whatever difficulties or misfortunes we may be confronting, a Jew must always carry on. To remain strong and be strengthened, because we believe b’emunah sheleimoh, with perfect faith, that everything – down to the last detail – is orchestrated by HaShem.

It was this week, three years ago, that my husband was sitting shiva for his mother, Rebbetzin Leah bas HaRav Moshe Dovid, a”h. I vividly recall my uncle, HaRav Yonassan Binyamin ben HaRav Avraham HaLevi a”h, coming to be menachem ovel. He gave my husband words of strength from the parsha. Chazak, Chazak, V’nischazeik. Be strong, carry on, no matter what.

From the death of Yosef in Egypt, to an elderly Jew trying to keep the flame of Yiddishkeit alive in Russia, to someone who just lost a parent, the message is one and the same. Chazak, Chazak, V’nischazeik!