In the entire Torah scroll, “vayechi” is unique in that there is no extra space between it and the preceding parashah, in contrast to the general rule that a new parashah begins on a new line or is at least separated by nine empty spaces. Rashi, therefore, describles “vayechi” as “closed.” Yakov wanted to tell his children the time of the “end,” the Messianic age when Yisrael’s exile would finally end. We wait for that coming time when this will become a reality. This coming together will bring a quality and intensity of life that will surpass all our expectation and understanding, a life that is presently hidden from us.
Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”
(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.
Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)
Torah Readings:
- 47:28 – 48:9
- 48:10-16
- 48:17-22
- 49:1-18
- 49:19-26
- 49:27 – 50:20
- 50:21-22
- Maftir: 50:23-26
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-12
Aliyah Rishon 47:28 – 48:9
Gen 47:28 And Yaʽaqoḇ lived in the land of Mitsrayim seventeen years. So the length of Yaʽaqoḇ’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years.
These seventeen years were the best years of his life -- years of prosperity, goodness and peace; his other 130 years were filled with toil and pain (Midrash; Baal HaTurim).
When the child came home he asked his grandfather, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: How can it be that our father Jacob, the greatest of the Patriarchs, lived the best years of his life in pagan Egypt?
Replied Rabbi Schneur Zalman: It is written that Jacob "sent Judah ahead of him... to show the way to Goshen" (Genesis 46:28). The Midrash explains that this was to establish a house of learning, where the sons of Jacob would study Torah. When one studies Torah, one is brought close to G-d, so that even in Egypt one can live a true "life." (HaYom Yom)
These would have been the best years of Yahshua’s life. He would have had his bar mitzvah at age 13 and 17 years later he would enter into the ministry of his Father. These were years where promising students would be trained for the ministry.
Why should it be different today? Training for the ministry was to be trained in Torah.
We see a similar pattern repeated for the apostle Paul. If we look at Galatians 1:17,18 and Galatians 2:1 - It would appear that Paul went through 17 years of preparation before he was released as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Gen 47:29 And the time for Yisra’ĕl to die drew near, and he called his son Yosĕph and said to him, “Now if I have found favour in your eyes, please put your hand under my thigh, and show kindness and truth to me. Please do not bury me in Mitsrayim,
The dispersion “galut” can never be our true home. We constantly sense that this is not our place, constantly beseech haShem to "carry us out of Egypt."
The days of the righteous die, but they do not die... It does not say, "and Israel drew near to die," but "the days of Israel drew near to die." (Midrash Rabbah)
Commentary – Donald Morgan- Gen 24:2-9,47:29"... put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by YHVH ...." (Note: This means "put your hand under my testicles," which is the manner in which oaths were taken at the time; "testament," "testify," and "testicle" come from the same root word.)
“There has been a great deal of research that examines how ancient religious rituals still influence modern behavior. Praying people would be surprised to learn that the posture of hands in prayer may be a modern re-enactment of touching testicles. The ancient practice is known as the "Yarek Oath" these new discoveries come from the work of the historian Dr. Rex Curry. They are based on some of the oldest descriptions of prayer (or oaths) in the Scriptures.” Wikipedia.
I personally believe that there will be a great deal of reproduction (spiritual and physical) that continues to take place in the millennium and after the “eighth day.” It seems unimaginable that YHVH’s set apart life (the word “holy” was used to translate the Hebrew word Kadosh, but the real meaning is “set apart”) will not be continually produced and reproduced for a long time still to come. - A thousand generations – From Adam until now we have only had about 120 generations.
When Yosef and Eliezer “touch” the genitals of the patriarchs, it was a solemn declaration and promise that the set apart covenant life would continue. When Yosef makes this oath I believe it prophetically points to the promise of YHVH to return us to the land of Yisrael to once again reproduce set apart life.
AFTER ALL WE ARE BORN AGAIN FROM AN INCORRUPTABLE SEED!!!!! –
1Pe 1:23 having been born again – not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible – through the living Word of Elohim, which remains forever,
Gen 47:30 but I shall lie with my fathers, and you shall take me up out of Mitsrayim and bury me in their burial place.” And he said, “I do as you have said.”
Gen 47:31 And he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him, and Yisra’ĕl bowed himself on the head of the bed.
There is debate over the use of the Hebrew word “mitah”(bed) or “metah”(staff) Perhaps in the context of the narrative “bed” may be a better choice as a bed is a place where the “seed” would be passed on. The bed could be seen as a type of altar where set apart intercourse took place to bring forth a set apart people.
Gen 48:1 And after these events it came to be that it was said to Yosĕph, “See, your father is sick.” And he took with him his two sons, Menashsheh and Ephrayim.
Gen 48:2 And Ya’aqov was told, “See, your son Yosĕph is coming to you.” And Yisra’ĕl strengthened himself and sat up on the bed.
Gen 48:3 And Ya’qov said to Yosĕph, “Ěl Shaddai appeared to me at Luz in the land of Kena’an and blessed me,
Gen 48:4 and said to me, ‘See, I am making you bear fruit and shall increase you and make of you an assembly of peoples, and give this land to your seed after you as an everlasting possession.’
Gen 48:5 “And now, your two sons, Ephrayim (doubly fruitful) and Menashsheh,(to forget or be deprived) who were born to you in the land of Mitsrayim/Egypt (birth canal) before I came to you in Mitsrayim, are mine – as Re’uvĕn and Shim’on, they are mine.