What is the Secret to Jewish Immortality?
In his famous essay Concerning the Jews, published in 1898, Mark Twain expressed his profound amazement at the Jewish people:
“The Jews constitute only 1% of the human race... It suggests a nebulous, dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of; but he is heard of, has always been heard of... His contributions to the world's list of great names are way out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous fight in the world, in all the ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him... The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose... the Greek and the Roman followed, and made a vast noise, and they are gone... The Jew saw them all and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no dulling of his alert mind. All things are mortal but the Jew... What is the secret of his immortality?”
While this question was posed at the turn of the 20th century, the wonder has only deepened in the years since. The Jewish people survived the atrocities of the Holocaust, retained their faith through Soviet communism, and rebuilt thriving communities in Israel and around the world.
In modern times, Israel has miraculously defended itself in multiple wars against hostile neighbors numbering in the hundreds of millions. Despite these existential threats, the Jewish people endure and thrive.
The answer to Mark Twain's question lies in this week's Torah portion, Vayechi ("And he lived"), which recounts the final years of our forefather Jacob in Egypt.
Jewish sages teach that the name of a Torah portion encapsulates its essence. Vayechi—“And he lived”—is a striking name, as the portion focuses on Jacob's final sickness, his final blessings to his children, and his burial. Why, then, is it titled Vayechi?
The Torah conveys a profound lesson: true life transcends mortality. It is eternal, continuous, and rooted in one's connection to G-d and one's Divine mission. Jacob's life was devoted to this mission, and the legacy he imparted to his children ensured his life's continuity beyond his passing.
In fact, the Torah never explicitly states that Jacob "died." As the verse says: “And Jacob concluded commanding his sons, drew his feet into the bed, and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 49:33). The Talmud (Taanit 5b) explains:
“Rabbi Yochanan said: 'Our patriarch Jacob did not die.' Rav Nachman asked, 'Was it for nothing that eulogizers eulogized him, embalmers embalmed him, and buriers buried him?' Rabbi Yitzchak replied: 'Just as his descendants are alive, so too is he alive.'”
Jacob's life was eternal because it was entirely dedicated to his Divine mission. Despite raising his family in a morally challenging environment, all of his children remained faithful to G-d and carried forward his values. This is the secret of Jewish immortality: a life infused with purpose, meaning, and connection to G-d.
The continued existence of the Jewish people, through centuries of persecution and challenges, testifies to the eternal truth of Jacob's legacy. Living with timeless teachings of the Torah, performing mitzvot, and raising future generations in the Jewish way is how we ensure that this legacy endures. The fact that the Jewish people today continue to remain connected to G-d, His Torah, and His Mitzvot, is the greatest proof that “Jacob did not die” and “Am Yisroel Chai."
The unique challenges the Jewish people have faced over the past year and a half have further highlighted this truth. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers, volunteers, and individuals worldwide have risen to protect and support the Jewish people.
Among these heroes is Ben Zussman, of blessed memory, who was killed on the front lines in Gaza. In his final message, he wrote:
“I am writing this message to you on my way to the base. If you are reading this, something has probably happened to me. As you know me, there's probably no one happier than me right now… I am grateful for the privilege to defend our beautiful land and the people of Israel…
I left the house without even being called to the reserves," he said. "I'm full of pride and a sense of mission and I've always said that if I have to die, I hope it will be in defense of others and the country. 'Jerusalem, I have placed guards' (Yishayahu 62:6), may the day come when I will be one of them.”
Ben, along with so many of our brave brothers and sisters, embodies the true meaning of being alive: living with purpose, mission, and faith. Let us honor Ben's life and the lives of the thousands who sacrificed themselves by performing another mitzvah in their memory.
Let us inspire our friends to light Shabbat candles, put on Tefillin, study Torah, affix a Mezuzah, and give more to charity.
By increasing our mitzvot and strengthening our commitment to G-d, we ensure that their legacy of selflessness and faith continues to illuminate the world.
The ultimate fulfillment of Jacob's legacy will come in the Messianic era, when the world will be filled with truth, peace, and Divine light. As the prophets declared:
“Death will be eradicated forever” (Isaiah 25:8).
In those days, all who have passed will be restored to life. As outlined in Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith: "I believe with complete faith in the resurrection of the dead”.
Today, we commemorate the Tenth of Tevet, marking the start of the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem over 2,500 years ago—a series of events that ultimately led to the destruction of the Holy Temple and the exile of the Jewish people from the land of Israel. Observed as a day of fasting, mourning, and repentance, it serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to hasten the arrival of Moshiach and usher in the era of Redemption, when we will rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem.
We eagerly await the time when the fast days will be transformed into days of joy, as prophesied by Zechariah:
"The fast of the tenth month shall become for the house of Judah a time of joy, happiness, and cheerful holidays—love truth and peace" (Zechariah 8:19).
