Zohar Vayichi - Section 2 - "And the Time Drew Near...And He Called His Son Joseph"

It is recommended to study the section prior to reading the Synopsis.

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi Section 2

It is best to study the Zohar in the following manner:

1. Read out loud the Aramaic Verse. If you need to transliterate in order to read with the sounds of the lettersthe verse see below. If you use the transliteration tool than make sure you scan the Aramaic first and last.

2. Read the English Translation - if you desire to understand and realize that your understanding will limit the energy you receive. This is why it is important to scan the aramaic verse first.

3.Write out your understanding of the verse. Send it to yeshshem@hotmail.com in an email. Use the Parasha Name and verse number in the subject. By sending your understanding you give yeshshem.com permission to post this to web page and any other uses Yeshshem may see a beneficial use.

4. Now read chanoch's Commentary or additions to enhance and or modify your own personal understanding.

SYNOPSIS:

Rabbi Chizkiyah begins by explaining that Israel saw the torture of exile upon his descendants, and consequently, his soul began to die. Israel then gathered his exiles and told them that if they wished to be absolved of their sins, they must behave according to truth and justice in the eyes of God. Rabbi Shimon then explains why Israel called only Joseph his son and not all the other exiles. This is because all the children of Yisrael were called Joseph. Rabbi Chizkiyah then refers to the secret of the Vav as including Jacob, Joseph, and others, as well as the six Sfirot.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

Israel's action of talking to the people of the exile is a code for the great Patriarch calling upon all generations, including the readers of this passage, and awakening them to the power of the Light and the path to eternal freedom, fulfillment, and the final redemption. When Yisrael calls only the name Joseph, the Zohar is indicating a direct reference to the Sfirah/dimension of Yesod, the portal and funnel through which the supernal Light flows into our world. The name Joseph refers to the Light that is flowing from Yesod to us "“ the reader and all the people who remain in exile in our current generation. This Light now becomes part of our being.

Pasook 25. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וַיִּקְרְבוּ יְמֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לָמוּת. רִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה אֲמַר, חֲמָא דָא עַקְתָא דְגָלוּתָא, דַּהֲוָה עָרְעָן לִבְנוֹהִי, קְרִיבָא אֲנַפְשֵׁיהּ וּדְחִיקַת לִמְמָת, לָא אִשְׁתָּאַר חַי, כַּד הֲוָה נָחֵית מַדְרְגִין, בְּדִיל חוֹבֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, לָא נָחֵית עִמְּהוֹן בְּגָלוּתָא, זַכָּאָה חוּלְקֵהוֹן, דְּאִי לָא נָחֵית עִמְּהוֹן בְּגָלוּתָא, אִשָׁתָּאֲרָן בֵּינֵי עַמְמַיָא, וְאַתְּ אֲמַרְתְּ מַדּוּעַ בָּאתִי וְאֵין אִישׁ קָרָאתִי וְאֵין עוֹנֶה. וְאֵין עוֹנֶה: דָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל, בָּאתִי וְאֵין אִישׁ: דָּא שְׁכִינָה. הַקָּצוֹר קָצְרָה יָדִי מִפְּדוּת וְאִם אֵין בִּי כֹּחַ לְהַצִּיל הֵן בְּגַעֲרָתִי אַחֲרִיב יָם אָשִׂים נְהָרוֹת מִדְבָּר, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יְהַב חוּלָקָא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּלָא יִשְׁלוֹט רַבְרְבָנָא אָחֳרָא בְהוֹן, נָחֲתוּ לְגָלוּתָא שְׁכִינְתָּא עִמְּהוֹן וְהוּא רָחֵיק מִמַּטְרוֹנִיתָא.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

"And the time drew near for Israel to die" (Beresheet 47:29). Rabbi Chizkiyah said, He saw this trouble of exile upon his children, and his soul drew near death. He did not remain alive when he descended his grades because of the sins of Yisrael. YISRAEL, ZEIR ANPIN, did not go into exile with them, LIKE THE SHECHINAH, WHO WENT INTO EXILE WITH THEM. HE ASKS, Happy is the portion OF YISRAEL, for if He, ZEIR ANPIN, would not have gone down with them into exile, they would have remained among the nations WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ESCAPE. Why then does it say, "Why, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer?" (Yeshayah 50:2). "Was there none to answer" alludes to Yisrael, NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN; "when I came, was there no man": This is the Shechinah. "Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness." SO ZEIR ANPIN DID COME DOWN ALSO WITH THEM INTO EXILE? HE ANSWERS, The Holy One, blessed be He, gave a portion to Yisrael, so that no other minister would rule over them; THUS HE IS WITH THEM IN EXILE. ALSO when they went into exile, the Shechinah is with them, but ZEIR ANPIN is far away from the Shechinah.

chanoch's Commentary

We learn in this pasuk that while both Zeir Anpin and the Schechina are in exile - they are separated and this is the meaning of exile. Also we have a question - What is the portion given to Israel? Some will say the Land of Israel yet there is many other meanings to the word portion.

Pasook 26. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וַיִּקְרָא לִבְנוֹ לְיוֹסֵף וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ אִם נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ, חָקַר יַת בְּנוֹהִי כֻּלְּהוֹן, וַאֲמַר לְהוֹן, עַקְתָן סַגִּיאִין, בִּישִׁין רַבְרְבִין, חָמֵית לְמֵיעַל לִבְרֵיכוֹן אַשְׁכְּחָן רַחֲמֵי עִלָּאֵי.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

"And he called his son Joseph, and said to him, if now I have found favor in your sight" (Beresheet 47:29). He examined all his sons and said to them, I see many evil troubles come upon your children, and ONE SHOULD find supernal Mercy.

chanoch's Commentary

Have you ever asked the question why Joseph is called alone without his brothers? Did Jacob see that evil troubles would only happen to Joseph's children? It does not make sense. Even if Joseph is a favored child Jacob would have learned not to show favoritism.

Pasook 27. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וְאִי אַתּוּן בָּעָאן לְמֵיפַּק מִכָּל עָקְתָא, קַיְימוּ לִי, וַהֲבוּ בֵּינָנָא רִבּוֹן עָלְמָא וְתַעַבְדוּן קְשׁוֹט וְדִינָא, וְתֶהֱוֵי כַּאֲבָהַתְכוֹן, וּפַקִּידֵי בְּכָל דָּר וְדָר דְּיֵיתֵי בַּתְרֵיכוֹן, וְאִי אַתּוּן בָּעָאן לְמֶעְבַּד הָכֵי, תִּפְקוּן מִכָּל עַקְתָא דְּיֵיתֵי עֲלֵיכוֹן.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

If you wish to be delivered from all these troubles, swear before me, and we shall have the Master of the universe AS WITNESS between us, that you will conduct yourself according to truth and justice, and behave like your fathers. You shall teach it to every generation that will come after you. If you shall do so, you shall escape all the troubles that will come upon you.

chanoch's Commentary

Learn this pasuks message well. The path to remove chaos is to live according to truth and justice. Truth is Zeir Anpin and Justice is the Malchut when moved to the central column. It is causing the unification of Zeir Anpin and Malchut.

Pasook 28. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אֲמַר, וְהַצִּיגוּ בַשַּׁעַר מִשְׁפָּט אוּלַי יֶחֱנַן ה' אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת שְׁאֵרִית יוֹסֵף. דְּאִתְקְרִיאוּ בְּנוֹהִי יִשְׂרָאֵל כֻּלְּהוֹן יוֹסֵף.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

Rabbi Shimon said, TO EXPLAIN AWAY THE DIFFICULTY THAT HE CALLED ONLY JOSEPH HIS SON AND NOT ALL THE TRIBES, THE WORDS OF RABBI SHIMON ARE BROUGHT HERE. "And establish justice in the gate, it may be that Hashem Elohim of Tzeva'ot will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph" (Amos 5:15), for all the children of Yisrael are called Joseph.

chanoch's Commentary

This answer does not satisfy me. Yes all of the Children of Israel are called Joseph or in the Tanach Efraim except for Judah and Benjamin. Much to contemplate in this pasuk.

Pasook 29. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וְאִי תַעַבְדוּן הָכֵי, לָא תִקְבְּרוּן חַד מִן בְּרִי, אֶלָּא אִתִּי תְּתוּבוּן לְאַרְעֲכוֹן בִּשְׁלָמָא.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

THE ZOHAR RETURNS TO THE WORDS OF JACOB: 'If you shall do so, you shall bury not one of my children in Egypt, but return safely with me to your land.'

chanoch's Commentary

On the physical level only Joseph and Jacob are buried in Israel. When we realize that all of the children of Jacob and Israel are Tzadikim and Egypt is that narrow place, then all of the children of Israel returned to "your land". This gives new insight into the teaching that the resurrection of the dead will apply to the people buried in Israel first. Those Tzadikim buried out of Israel will also be resurrected first. This is my contemplation point presently.

Pasook 30. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

הה"ד שִׂים נָא יָדְךָ תַּחַת יְרֵכִי, מַהוּ יָדְךָ. פְּתַח וַאֲמַר חֲגוֹר חַרְבְּךָ עַל יָרֵךְ גִּבּוֹר הוֹדְךָ וַהֲדָרֶךָ, סַיְיפָא דְקָאי בָּהּ חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת, תְּרֵין סְפִירָן סְפִירָן, וְלָא שָׁבְקִין דָּא לְדָא, וְע"ד אֲמַר חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת יְקַדְמוּ פָנֶיךָ, פְּנֵי ה' חִלְּקָם, וְאִי הֲווֹ טָבָאן בְּנוֹהִי, וַעֲבִידוּ מַה דְּקָיְימוּ, לָא מִית חַד מִבְּנַיְיהוּ בְּמִצְרָאֵי, דְּכָל טַב וְטַב דְּגָזֵיר שְׁמָא דֵּאלָהָא עַל אֵינָשָׁא, לָא הֲוֵי, אֶלָּא עַל דִּיהוֹן טָבִין, וְאִי לָא, לָא, כְּמָה דַּאֲמַר דָוִד, לְמַעַן יָקִים ה' אֶת דְּבָרוֹ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר עָלַי לֵאמֹר אִם יִשְׁמְרוּ בָנֶיךָ אֶת דַּרְכָּם לָלֶכֶת לְפָנַי בֶּאֱמֶת. וְאִי לָא, לָא מַיְיתֵי בִּרְכָאן דַּאֲמַר עֲלֵיהוֹן.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

It is written, "Put, I pray you, your hand under my thigh" (Beresheet 47:29). HE ASKS, What is "your hand"? He opened the discussion saying, "Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior: your glory and your majesty" (Tehilim 45:4). ALSO "YOUR HAND UNDER MY THIGH" ALLUDES TO A SWORD, WHICH IS a sword of Grace and Truth, the two Sfirot which do not separate from each other; NAMELY YESOD WHICH CONTAINS THE LIGHT OF CHASSADIM AND THE LIGHT OF CHOCHMAH, CALLED TRUTH AND BRIGHTNESS OF COUNTENANCE. Therefore it says, "Love and Truth shall go before you" (Tehilim 89:15), "The anger of Hashem divided them" (Eichah 4:16). And if His children were good and did what they accepted upon them, not one of the children would have died in Egypt, for each kindness that the Holy One blessed be He decrees upon men is on the condition they will be good. As David said, "That Hashem may continue His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in Truth'" (I Melachim 2:4). But if not, He shall not.

chanoch's Commentary

How corrupted have the teachings of the Jewish Tribe become in our modern age. Rabbi's teach that by doing Mitzvot this verse from Kings 1 Chapter 2 Verse 4 will be honored. We have a conditional promise from HaShem as described in this pasuk. IF a person of the Children of Israel walks on the path of absolute truth then ... Actually when one does a Mitzvah with an improper Kavenah then they are not speaking or doing truth, since the inside consciousness does not match the outside actions in the frame of reference of absolute truth.

Pasook 31. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

תָּא חֲזֵי, כַּמָּה הוּא עָדִיף רוּחָא דְּאַבָּא מֵרוּחָא דִּבְרָא, דְּרוּחָא דְּאַבָּא הוּא רוּחָא דִבְרָא, רוּחָא מֵרוּחָא סָלְקָא, וְאִי סַיְיעַת אֲוִירָא אָחֳרָא בְּרוּחָא, לָא נָפֵיק שְׁלִים, דְּהָא חָסֵיר הוּא, בְּהַאי אֲוִירָא, וְהַיְינוּ פֶּרֶה לִמֻּד מִדְבָּר בְּאַוַּת נַפְשָׁהּ שָׁאֲפָה רוּחַ.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

Come and behold, better is the spirit of the father than the spirit of the son, for the spirit of the father is that of the son, spirit drawn from spirit. THUS WE FIND THE FATHER'S SPIRIT IN RELATION TO HIM IS THAT OF THE ROOT IN RELATION TO ITS BRANCH. But if another air OF THE OTHER SIDE contributes to the spirit of the son, he is not born whole, but rendered defective by that air OF THE OTHER SIDE; NAMELY "a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind in her desire" (Yirmeyah 2:24).

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is explaining that the spiritual level is lower than the spiritual level of the children. This is usually the case although if the father has been rendered defective as described above it is possible for the child to be higher spiritually than the parents.

Pasook 32. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

תָּנָא רַב הַמְנוּנָא סָבָא אֲזַל לְקַפּוֹטְקִיָּיא, עָאל לְקַמַּייהוּ, רַב יֵיסָא סָבָא, א"ל בְּמַאי עַסְקִיתוּ, וַוי לֵיהּ, וַוי לְנַפְשֵׁיהּ, אִי אִשְׁתְּלַף רוּחָא דִּמְסָאֲבָא דְּאִשְׁתַּכַּח עִמֵּיהּ, וְאוֹרֵית לֵיהּ לִבְרֵיהּ, וְהַאי אִיהוּ דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לֵית לֵיהּ חוּלָקָא, שָׁבֵיק לֵיהּ חוּלָקָא שָׁבֵיק לֵיהּ לְשֵׁיצָאָה לֵיהּ לְעַלְמָא דְאָתֵי, א"ל מנ"ל הָא, א"ל הָכָא אוֹלִיפְנָא, דְּהַאי יְרוּתָא בִּישְׁתָּא, אַחְסְנִין כֻּלְּהוּ בְּנוֹ אִי לָא יְתוּבוּן, דְהָא לֵית מִלָּה קָיְימָא קַמֵי תְּשׁוּבָה. וַאֲנָא הָכֵי אוֹלִיפְנָא, דְּהָא אַסְוָותָא דָא, יַהֲבוּ לִי זִמְנָא חָדָא, דַּהֲוֵינָא רְשִׁים בְּאַנְפִּי, וְיוֹמָא חַד הֲוֵינָא אָזֵיל בְּאָרְחָא, וְעַרְעָנָא בְּחַד זַכָּאָה, וְעַל יְדוֹי אִתְעֲבַר מִנָאי, הַהוּא רְשִׁימָא, א"ל מַה שְּׁמָךְ, א"ל אֶלְעָזָר, וְקָרֵינָא לֵיהּ אֶלְעָזָר אָחֳרָא, א"ל בְּרִיךְ רַחֲמָנָא דְּחָמֵינָא לָךְ, זַכָּאָה חוּלָקָךְ בְּעַלְמָא דֵין, וּבְעַלְמָא דְאָתֵי.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

We learned that Rabbi Hamnuna Saba (the elder) once went to Cappadocia. Going towards him was Rabbi Yisa Saba. According to Rav Ashlag, this paragraph is a later interpolation, which in other versions starts with Rabbi Aba.

chanoch's Commentary

No comment is necessary.

Pasook 33. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וַיֹּאמֶר הִשָּׁבְעָה לִי וגו'. רִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, נִשְׁבַּע ה' בִּימִינוֹ וּבִזְרוֹעַ עֻזּוֹ, קַּיַּים קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, דְּיִפּוֹק לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מִן גָּלוּתָא דִלְהוֹן, וְדָא קַיַּים לְהוֹן, קְיָים, דְּלָא יִשְׁבּוֹק לוֹן בְּאַרַע שַׂנְאֵיהוֹן.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

"And he said, 'Swear to me'" (Beresheet 47:31). Rabbi Chizkiyah opened the discussion saying, "Hashem has sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength" (Yeshayah 62:8), WHICH MEANS Hashem swore He would deliver Yisrael from their exile. This is what He swore to them BY THE VERSE, "AND HE SWORE TO HIM" (BERESHEET 47:31) HERE WHICH ALSO REFERS TO THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE. He swore to them He would not abandon them in the land of their enemies.

chanoch's Commentary

This verse is clear as written.

Pasook 34. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

וַיֹּאמֶר שַׁלְחֵנִי כִּי עָלָה הַשָּׁחַר וַיֹּאמֶר לֹא אֲשַׁלֵּחֲךָ כִּי אִם בֵּרַכְתָּנִי. מַאן בֵּרַכְתָּנִי. יְהַב לוֹן גָּלוּתָא, וְקַיַּים לוֹן, דְּיִפְקוּן מִנֵּיהּ.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

"And he said, 'Let me go, for the day breaks.' And he said, 'I will not let you go, unless you bless me'" (Beresheet 32:27). What does "bless me" mean; TO WIT, WHAT WAS THE BLESSING HE CONFERRED UPON HIM? HE ANSWERS, he assigned them to exile and swore to them He would deliver them from it.

chanoch's Commentary

Does this seem confusing? This Zohar pasuk brings two different ideas. One pasuk quoted was spoken by the Angel of Edom or by HaShem at that moment of defeating the Angel. The other is a promise spoken by HaShem to Abraham. It is always good to be familiar with the verses in the Tanach in order to understand many of the pasukim in the Zohar.

Pasook 35. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayichi

תָּנָא, זַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לִבְרֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּיהוֹן כָּל חַד וְחַד תְּחוֹת כָּרְסֵיהּ, וִיהוֹן מַעַלְיָין מִכָּל עִלָּאֵי, בְּגִין דָּא תִּשְׁכַּח וא"ו אֲרִיכָא, קַיַּים קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לִשְׁלֵמוּתָא דְּו' דְּר"א וּבְגִין שִׁתָּא וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל רֹאשׁ הַמִּטָּה, סְגִיד יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּלֵיתֵי מְשִׁיחָא, בְּסוֹף מִנְיָינָא דָא, וְתִשְׁרֵי שְׁכִינְתָּא עִמְּהוֹן.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

We learned that the Holy One, blessed be He, would DO for His children of Yisrael, that they would all dwell under His throne, and excel the high ANGELS. Therefore, one finds a long Vav in the Torah, like in "Whatever goes on its belly (Heb. gachon)" (Vayikra 11:42), which is an allusion that the Holy One, blessed be He, swore upon the perfection of the Vav (= 6) generations, THE SECRET OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB, MOSES, AARON AND JOSEPH, THE SECRET OF THE SIX SFIROT: CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD. Because of these six, IT IS WRITTEN, "And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head" (Beresheet 47:31), YISRAEL BEING THE SECRET OF ZEIR ANPIN, WHICH INCLUDES, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD. The bowing of Israel ALLUDES TO the coming of Messiah at the end of this time; TO WIT, AFTER SIX THOUSAND YEARS, ALLUDING TO THE SIX COMPLETE SFIROT, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, CLOTHED BY SUPERNAL ABA AND IMA, WHICH SFIROT ARE EACH OF A THOUSAND YEARS. And the Shechinah will dwell among them.

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk mixes different metaphors to express and explain what will happen in the times of Mashiach to the Children of Israel. If you read this pasuk carefully, the first metaphor implies that Moses and Aaron are in different generations. This is hard to understand since they are brothers, and we would think that brothers who are a few years apart in age would be in the same generaton. The explanation, in my opinion, is that the definition of generation applies to many ages of a persons life. A generation might be 4 years or 5 years or 7 years or 8 years or many more. Remember each generation of the Children of Israel has a different generational tikune as part of the cleansing of the world to prepare HaShem's entrance to the world in the time of Mashiach.