ויבך על צואריו עוד (ויגש מו:כט)

Before the Tzemach Tzedek of Vizhnitz zt״l traveled to Marienbad for a period of rest, he shared with his son, Reb Burich’l—the Imrei Burich zt״l—a Torah thought recorded in his sefer Tzemach Tzaddik on the pasuk “וַיֵּבְךְּ עַל צַוָּארָיו עוֹד.”

Rashi explains that Yaakov did not fall upon Yosef’s neck because at that moment he was reciting Krias Shema. This requires clarification: if it was indeed the time for Krias Shema, why did Yosef not recite it as well? And if it was not the proper time, why did Yaakov recite Shema then?

The answer is that tzaddikim seek no enjoyment from worldly pleasures; their sole desire is to serve Hashem. When Yaakov finally encountered Yosef—after years of mourning him and refusing consolation—a powerful surge of love was awakened upon seeing his son’s face. Yaakov wished to sanctify and offer that overwhelming love to Hashem, and therefore, he recited Krias Shema at that moment.

The Imrei Burich sensed that his father was hinting at something personal with these words, but he refrained from asking as he took leave of him.

During that journey, the Tzemach Tzedek endured great hardships. One day, while sitting on a balcony at a great height, part of it collapsed, and he fell to the ground, losing consciousness. The doctors nearly despaired of his recovery. At the same time, two of his children fell ill—one of them, Rav Yaakov Dovid zt’’l, passed away shortly thereafter, while the Imrei Burich was miraculously healed. The Tzemach Tzedek himself remained hospitalized for several weeks until he, too, recovered miraculously.

Upon his return home, the Imrei Burich traveled to Stanislav to greet his father. When he arrived, he found the Tzemach Tzedek preparing to daven Shacharis and approached him to offer shalom. His father extended his hand silently, without any outward display of emotion. The chassidim present looked on in surprise; after all that had transpired, they had expected a far more emotional reunion.

After davening, the Tzemach Tzedek approached his son and said quietly: “Remember the divrei Torah I shared before I left, about Yaakov reciting Shema when he met Yosef.” He said no more—but Reb Burich’l understood the profound message his wise father was conveying.