Parshat Vayechi draws the curtains on Sefer Bereishit but also on the lives of our Avot. Yaakov, lying on his deathbed, calls Yosef to him before blessing all of his children. Yosef is told that he is receiving a special portion over his other siblings – “ואני נתתי לך שכם אחד על אחיך”. This is not Yaakov repeating a mistake of his past by favouring one son over the others, but rather, gifting his child with something critical for success in his position as the young prince of Egypt.

The Torah doesn’t tell us what this special legacy was, but Rabbi Yehuda suggests that this special gift was none other than the garment worn by Adam HaRishon! Why would a man who controlled the land of Egypt want an old shirt?

That, say our Rabbis, is exactly the point – if Yaakov gifted Yosef this piece of clothing, then it was for a very special reason. Yaakov wanted to teach Yosef, and the Yosefs throughout history, an important lesson. Rabbi Lamm suggests that the three descriptions of Adam’s garment each represent a lesson that Yaakov wished to bequeath to Yosef.

The first description our Rabbis tell us of this garment is that it was made of a special kind of leather which originated from the skin of the nachash, the snake’s skin that was shed. Yaakov, through this, wanted to teach his son the lesson of humility. Adam HaRishon once had a complete paradise which, due to his sin, he was compelled to leave. He was left with nothing other than the shirt on his back, made by Hashem in His infinite kindness. Yosef was to look at this garment and remember his origins – he rose to glory from the pit; his success was never truly his, but came from Hashem. Yosef should use his power and wealth but use it with humility, knowing that it is all from Hashem.  

The second aspect of the garment was its design. Chazal say that it was decorated with pictures of flying birds. Adam HaRishon, despite having nothing after leaving Gan Eden, managed to remain happy and satisfied with his life, drawing the figures of birds in flight, symbols of unconcerned joy. Yosef, carrying the burden of leadership and responsibility, may be overcome by feelings of anxiety and dissatisfaction of never achieving enough. Yosef is reminded to always be happy with whatever he has. Even when all you have is a shirt, your mind can be as free as a bird.

The final detail of Adam’s shirt suggested by Chazal is that it was in fact the robe of the Kohen Gadol. It was the symbol of religious tradition passed down throughout Jewish History, from the very beginning of time. Yaakov was concerned how Yosef would maintain his religious commitment when surrounded by the constant test of wealth and power. Would he assimilate? Would he stay strong despite the external influences? This shirt, this old shirt, which may not be the most fashionable, is also the most important item. It belongs to Yosef, and to all Jews, because this is our legacy, this is the secret to a life of holiness.

And so as we attempt to find our way through the maze of life, this shirt gifted to Yosef, is also the clothing Yaakov was gifting to us. It is a reminder that when we face struggles or challenges from the outside world, we should strive to maintain our humility, happiness and holiness. Yaakov offered this gift to Yosef, and also to us. Our mission is to accept it.