In describing Jacob`s expiration, the Torah pointedly avoids the use of the word vayamat, "and he died," a word it employs with all the other deaths it relates, including Abraham`s (Genesis 25:8) and Isaac`s (35:29). Instead, it uses the euphemisms "he expired" and "he was gathered to his people." Hence, concludes talmudic sage Rabbi Jochanan, "Our father Jacob did not die."
The Talmud (Taanit 5b) records the following exchange between Rav Nachman and Rav Yitzchak:
"So said Rabbi Jochanan: Our father Jacob did not die."
Asked Rav Yitzchak: "Was it for no reason that the eulogizers eulogized, the embalmers embalmed and the buriers buried?"
Responded Rav Nachman: "I am only citing a verse. It is written, `And you, my servant Jacob, fear not, says the L-rd, and do not tremble, O Israel. For behold, I shall save you from afar, and your descendants from the land of their captivity` (Jeremiah 30:10). The verse equates Jacob with his descendants: |
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