This week, Jews around the world read from parashat vayechi, the final Torah portion in the Book of Genesis, which contains a poem of blessings offered by Jacob, on his deathbed, to his twelve sons.
After reserving curses and criticisms for his first three sons, Jacob finally delivers a blessing worthy of the name when he arrives at his fourth son, Judah. After praising Judah’s military and royal prowess, Jacob continues by claiming, “He will tether his donkey to a vine, his foal to a choice vine. He will wash his garment in wine, his robe in the blood of grapes. His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth, whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:10-11)
This final element of Jacob’s blessing promises prosperity, as well as the health and repose that comes with affluence. Through the cultivation and sale of abundant grapes, Judah will achieve luxury, i.e. the free time to drink wine, as well as vigor, i.e. the nutrition necessary for strong teeth.
Often, due to pernicious stereotypes of our people, as well as the excesses of greed present in everyday culture, we shun mention of prosperity and wealth, but Judah’s blessing serves as a reminder that we need not seek wealth for the sake of avarice, but rather, to do our part in securing health and tranquility for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our community. When the quest for wealth leads us to abandon our generosity and our responsibility to others, then we must consider that greed has replaced the commendable aims of health and tranquility. However, the pursuit of wealth to secure our future should be praised, not maligned.
–Rabbi Josh Knobel