by Tuly Weisz | f 25, 2015 | Vayechi
In this week’s portion, we finish the book of Genesis with the conclusion of the story of Joseph and his brothers– the brothers and Jacob are all in Egypt, Jacob blesses his children before his death, and the book closes with the death of Joseph. Before his death and...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 20, 2015 | Vayechi
Jacob now sets out to bless his own sons. He wishes to tell them what will befall them in the End of Days. To Reuben, Simeon and Levi, Jacob offers only chastisement for their earlier actions. Reuben, for interfering with Jacob’s marital bed (see Genesis...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 20, 2015 | Vayechi
Joseph weeps at Jacob’s passing, and orders his father’s body to be embalmed, a process which the Torah says takes forty days. He then asks Pharaoh’s leave to bury his father in Israel, as he had promised, and Pharaoh agrees. Joseph’s brothers attended the burial,...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 20, 2015 | Vayechi
After Jacob’s death, the brothers worry that Joseph will at long last be moved to avenge himself upon them. They therefore claim their father asked before he died that Joseph be merciful and forgive his brothers for what they did to him. They offer to serve him as...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 20, 2015 | Vayechi
After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob feels the end of his days approaching. Knowing he would die there and not return to his homeland, he makes Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah with his wife, parents and grandparents. The Israel Bible emphasizes...
by Ahuva Balofsky (Moderator) | f 20, 2015 | Vayechi
Having claimed them as equal in status to his own sons, Jacob now notices his two grandsons standing with their father. Confirming their identities, he asks Joseph to bring them close that he may bless them. Jacob is overwhelmed with joy, as he had not thought he...
