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In this weeks Parsha, Yaakov lives out the final 17 years of his life in Egypt. Yaakov prayed that Hashem would allow him to live longer so that he would have the privilege to go back to Eretz Yisrael and not die in Egypt. Hashem then answered him that his prayer would not be granted, since the time had come for him to die. (Yafeh Toar). The Torah uses the expression, "The time approached for Yisrael to die," because Yaakov did not live as long as his father or his grandfather. Avraham lived to be 175 and Yitzchak lived to be 180, while Yaakov only lived for 147 years. The above expression is only used in cases where the individual did not live as long as his fathers. (Bereishit Rabbah; Rashi). "please do not bury me in Egypt" In asking Yosef not to bury him in Egypt, Yaakov asked for true kindness. True kindness is that done for the dead, since one cannot expect any repayment for it. (Rashi) We might have thought that Yaakov would ask to be buried in Egypt, so that his merit would protect his descendants. Especially because Yaakov knew that his descendants would suffer exile in Egypt. However, when Yaakov came from Eretz Yisrael, he was concerned that Hashem would abandon him for leaving Eretz Yisrael, and his children would therefore perish among the nations. Hashem then made him a promise and said, "Do not be afraid to go to Egypt....I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up" (46:3,4). Yaakov therefore realized that there was no need for him to be buried in Egypt because his Hashem would remain with Bnei Yisrael. According to the Rambam Yaakov and Yosef are our earliest examples of how worthwhile and important it is to make an effort to at least be buried in the Land of Israel. Even though it is far better to live there, our attachment to the Land of Israel is so great and so important that any opportunity to return and be absorbed there is important. We should all aspire and strive to build our lives here in Israel but even death teaches us how truly precious our place in the Land is. This year I have had the amazing opportunity to connect with the Land of Israel and it's people. Working and playing with the children of Beit Hayeled have allowed me to establish roots here and see the importance of the land.