Vayigash

Serach's model

Adapted from Rabbi Jill Hammer

Serach, daughter of Asher (Gen. 46:17), granddaughter of Ya'akov, is mentioned in only a few genealogies. There are no biblical stories about her. However, Midrash ha-Gdaol, a 13th-century midrash collection from Yemen, imagines a story about her. When Yosef's brothers come home from Egypt, they have discovered that their brother Yosef, whom they sold into slavery, is alive. They are afraid this news will shock their father, Ya'akov, who has grieved for Yosef for many years. So they ask young Serach to tell him. She waits until her grandfather is praying and sings the news to him. Ya'akov is so grateful to hear the news that he gives Serach a blessing that she will never die.

Because of this extraordinary blessing, Serach lives through the slavery in Egypt and is there when the children of Ya'akov promise to bring Yosef's bones with them from Egypt when they are freed. Hundreds of years later, it comes time for the Hebrews to leave, and Serach is the only one who knows where Yosef's bones are. Midrash Tanhuma, a 12th-century collection, says Serach revealed to Moshe where Yosef's grave was located. Serach, the oldest member of the community, was able to identify Moshe as a true redeemer, because she remembers that her father had told her what the redeemer would say when he arrived.

Serach's merit: she spoke gently, was a good listener, and held confidential knowledge until it was helpful. She connected the generations, and is remembered as a role model.

Return to Reb Laura's "Taste of Torah" list.

Return to "Teachings from Our Rabbis and Friends" list.

---

[ Home ]	[ Asiyah ]	[ Yetzirah ]	[ Briyah ]	[ Atzilut ]	[ Calendar ]
	( Doing )	( Feeling )	( Knowing )	( Being )