If the Torah was psychologically analyzed, an abundance of obsessive compulsiveness would be found. Is there a reason for this pathology to be present? Are there positive that can arise from such behavior? Can ocd acts serve a visionary or prophetic role?
Answers to these questions revolve around one of Vayechi’s Ten Commandments’ moments. With Jacob’s passing, his sons must act to honor their father. Prior to Jacobs’s death, he insists that his children bury him in a plot that his grandfather, Abraham, procured and where his family was buried. He told all of them “I am being gathered to my people.” Genesis 49:26-33. In the Chaye Sarah Torah portion, Abraham went to extreme measures in purchasing the burial area. He makes sure that all of the children of Heth are witnesses to the plot’s purchase. Abraham then does the unthinkable; he pays full price for the plot! Genesis 23:16-19.
Joseph does as his father Jacob requests. The Pharoah, not to violate Joseph from taking the Lord’s name in vain, noted, in giving permission, that Jacob had him swear to the task.
With the Pharoah’s permission, Joseph holds an elaborate funeral procession from Egypt to Canaan. Those participating include most of Jacob’s extended family- infants excluded, but also Eqyptian officials. It was reported as a big and very heavy funeral. Genesis 50:10 . It was reported that the Canaanite residents saw the mourning. Genesis 50:11.
Some modern scholars use collective memory as an approach to establishing the Torah’s historicity. These passages provide academicians a master class on the creation of collective memory. In a time with limited data storage possibilities, Abraham and Jacob did the best that they could do to create collective memories; their ocd like behavior made the instances memorable. In Canaan, collective memories were established among residents about the ownership of the burial plot. Further, the burial ceremony made known to them the family owning the plot was now residing in Egypt. For the Children of Israel, the whole family established a collective memory of their homeland. They knew where their patriarchs and matriachs csme from. Jacob’s comment about being gathered with his people has some prophetic essence.
In sum, an argument can be made that the Ten Commandments played a role in something much bigger. The Commandments served as a vehicle to create a collective memory. Jacob honoring his parents and grandparents with his burial plot choice and Joseph, and his brother’s honoring their father Jacob, collectively created a multitude of important collective memories for both the Children of Israel and the Canaanite residents. Thus, beyond the mere commandment to re-tell the story of the exodus, one’s knowledge may be heightened by idiosyncratic behavior. Anybody ready for 3-d chess?
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 