As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And he (Yaacob Avinu) kissed them (Efraim & Menashe) and he embraced them.” (48:10)

The love of one’s children is expressed by the love of the children’s children. Especially when the children’s children are young, the parent experiences a repetition of the love that he had felt for his own children when they were younger. The love that Yaacob had always had toward Yosef, and the love for Yosef’s mother Rachel who had died prematurely, was expressed in the love for Yosef’s sons.

We see from the conduct of this family that they expressed their affection by kissing and embracing, just as did Esav and Yaacob (33:4) and as did Yosef and his brothers. (45:14-15) Instead of being cold philosophers (”Stoics”) that are ashamed of emotions, our Fathers expressed their love by acts of demonstrative affection, and they thus served Hashem by encouraging the feelings of kindliness and love which cause Perfection of the soul.

We see that this family expressed their love of kin in a highly emotional manner and we learn therefrom that it is an excellence of the soul to love one’s kin with powerful emotion. By loving one’s kin, one comes to love one’s kin’s kin and eventually he attains the feeling that the entire house of Israel are his kin.

The perfection of character toward one person tends to spread and is subsequently broadened to include others. And they thus served Hashem by encouraging the feelings of kindliness and love which cause Perfection of the Soul.

The Rav’s advice regarding raising children included that we should always talk to our children. By talking to them with a voice full of emotion and love we make a very strong impression which will eventually bear fruits. Tell them that Hashem loves, cares for and is protecting them. Tell them how much their mother and father love, care for and are proud of them. But always remember to caress your child’s very tender cheek while you are saying these loving and encouraging words to them.

This is the Key we learn from our great Family.

Adapted from “The Beginning” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

Related posts:

1. Parshat Vayechi As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And he (Yaacob...
2. Parshat Vayechi As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And he (Yaacob...
3. Parshat Vayishlach As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And they wept.”...
4. Parshat Vayechi As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L “And Israel said...
5. Parshat Miketz As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L Shabbat Chanukah “The...