Genesis Va-y'chi

Va-y'chi
Genesis 47:28−50:26

I. Summary

A. Va-y’chi = (Jacob) “lived” (17 years in the land of Egypt).

B. Jacob makes Joseph swear that he will bury Jacob’s body in cave at Machpelah in Canaan (previously purchased by Abraham at full price from the Hittites and where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah were all buried). (47:28-31)

C. Jacob, at the age of 147, adopts and blesses his grandchildren, Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh [replacing censured Reuben and Simeon (34:30 and 35:22) as senior tribes?]. In blessing, Jacob (not being able to see … reminiscent of blind Isaac when he “mistakenly” blesses Jacob rather than Esau) crosses his hands and places his right hand to his left on head of Ephraim (younger son). Joseph protests since right hand was to go on head of Manasseh, the older son. Jacob persists and rejects traditional blessing of oldest in favor of youngest and declares that youngest son shall be greater then older son (borne out by 1) Joshua, prophet Samuel and Jeroboam I, founder of Northern kingdom/Israel all = Ephraim’s descendants and 2) Northern kingdom/Israel also known as Ephraim). Jacob acknowledges his imminent death and reinforces Joseph as his favorite son (characterizing Joseph as “first among your brothers”) (48:1-21)

D. Jacob's twelve sons gather around his deathbed, and each receives an evaluation and a prediction of his future. Jacob asks his sons to bury him in Canaan (repeating request he previously made of Joseph at 47:30). Jacob dies. (49:1-33)

E. Joseph and all Egypt mourn Jacob's death (in quasi-royal fashion). Joseph, accompanied by procession of Egyptian officials, bury Jacob in cave at Machpelah in Canaan. (50:1-14)

F. Joseph assures his concerned brothers (“what if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back …”) that he has forgiven them citing himself as God’s vehicle for Israelite survival, i.e. turn evil into good. Just before he dies, Joseph tells his family that God will return them to the Land that God promised to the patriarchs. Joseph asks that they take his bones with them when they leave Egypt (parallels Jacob’s request to be buried in Canaan at 47:30). Joseph dies at 110 (ironically the ideal Egyptian lifespan v. 120 years in Hebrew tradition). (50:15-26)

II. Commentary (Plaut, various websites and prior Hevreh discussions)

A. Genesis as set-up for Exodus - Va-y’chi = conclusion of Genesis (theme = God guiding descendants of Abraham to Egypt) and is an introduction to Exodus (where God shows himself to the world as Israelites are led from Egypt to Promised Land).

B. Jacob’s testament (49:1-27) –
1. Testament identifies distinguishing characteristics of each tribes; however, testament also suggests tribes have little cohesion, i.e. what binds them is common ancestry and memory of an old covenant … not bound by any sense of national purpose or identity.
2. Comments about Judah more future oriented = Judah’s tribe survived destruction and deportation by Babylonians and provided continuity for Israelites. Foretelling future = Jacob as God’s messenger? Testament = bridge between past and future?
3. Contrast harsh judgments v. loving candor of a father.
4. Harshness of Jacob’s comments perhaps tempered if Jacob viewed as prophet simply carrying words of God foretelling the future.

C. Significance of Judah’s repentance - Judah’s tribe survived destruction and deportation by Babylonians and provided continuity for people of Israel. Had Judah, as the family spokesman, not completed the cycle of t’shuvah (repentance), Joseph might never have forgiven his brothers, and the Israelites might have perished of hunger in Canaan.

D. Voicing apologies - Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers contrasts with Jacob’s reconciliation with Esau in that the brothers verbally apologize to Joseph whereas Jacob never verbally apologizes to Esau, whom he has wronged.

E. Seeing - Jacob could not “see” his grandsons (though his blessing of his grandsons gave him “sight”). Jacob’s earlier trauma (stealing birthright from Esau) prevented him from “seeing” people as they really were. Similarly, Isaac could not “see” when he mistakenly (?) blessed Esau rather than Jacob = a result of Isaac’s trauma when Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac. Finally, Leah had weak eyes.

F. Carrying Joseph’s bones – Joseph’s request (50:25) that people “bring my bones up from this place” (request eventually fulfilled by Moses and Joshua) = representative of people carrying and passing on Joseph’s values? Different significance than Jacob’s request to be buried in Canaan?

G. Torah scroll construction of parasha - This Torah portion differs from the ones we have examined thus far. The beginning of the other portions is generally delineated by a new paragraph or at least an indentation in the text of the hand-written Torah scroll, but this portion is satum, "closed." Midrash suggests the death of Jacob caused a closing of the eyes and hearts of Israel, due to the troubles of the oppression which began (at this time). Alternatively: (Jacob) wished to reveal the end of days to his children, but it was closed to him.

H. Special status of time immediately preceding death – Consider 1) Jacob’s testament to his sons and request to be buried in Canaan, 2) Joseph telling family that God will deliver them to Promised Land and request to be buried in Canaan and 3) Moses' discourse to Israelites (Deut.) as Israelites are about to enter Promised Land. All are significant actions immediately prior to death. Suggests need (responsibility?) to use final moments to do something impactful on future. Consider things people do as they prepare themselves for their own deaths (remedy estrangements, etc.). Reinforced by our legal system which affords special status to dying declarations (exception to prohibition against admitting hearsay into evidence).

I. Lessons of Jacob-Joseph stories for us today –
1. Keeping peace among brothers (Ephraim & Manasseh v. conflict among Joseph and his brothers).
2. Holding onto Jewishness (Ephraim and Manasseh raised in Egyptian society)
3. Keeping promises (Jacob repeatedly asking to be buried in Machpelah)
4. Speak honestly but see the good in everyone (Jacob’s testament to his sons)
5. Passing on values (carrying bones of Joseph’s and also Jacob’s testament)
6. Nature of true repentance for prior sin (Jacob, Judah and Joseph’s brothers)
7. Dangers of religious fanatacism (Jacob’s words to Simeon and Levi at 49:5,7 … “cursed be their anger so fierce, /And their wrath so relentless.")
8. Nature of forgivance (Joseph re: his brothers)
9. Sense of family and going “home” (request of both Jacob and Joseph to be buried in cave of Machpelah at Canaan)
10. “Seeing” realities (blind Jacob blessing Ephraim and Manasseh and blind Isaac blessing Jacob and Esau)
11. Essence of prayer (Jacob’s blessing = adoration,+ thanksgiving + petition)

(Revised 1/2/10)