Blessing for the Torah Reading:
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,
you have selected us from among all the peoples,
and have given us your Torah.
Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)
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,
describes “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.
Moshiach also spoken of
sheep that were “hidden.”
Yochanan/Joh
10:14 “I am the good shepherd.1
And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:11-12, Heb.
13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4.
Joh 10:15 even as the Father knows Me, and I know the
Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16 “And other sheep I have which are not of this
fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there
shall be one flock, one shepherd.1 Footnote: 1Ezek.
34:23, Ezek. 37:24.