An excellent entry in our continuing series on the first pasuk of the Parsha - this week on “Vayechi”.  Rabbi Paltiel addresses the question of why the last 17 years of Yaakov’s life are separated from his total of 147.  Sources include: Rabbenu Bechaye, Tur, Alshich, Abarbanel, Arizal, and two sichos from the Lubavitcher Rebbe (one from chelek tes vav, and one from chelek yud) and a maamar from tof shin mem zion. 

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