Vayechi

VaYechi

Genesis 47:28 -50:26

In the name of Yahushua

Our Messiyah,

I pray for the Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Knowledge and

 The Spirit of Wisdom

As I read through this Parasha

The Torah portion of Vayechi, which means “and he lived,” is the twelve Torah portion, it underscore the point that Jacob did not merely pass seventeen years of his life in Egypt. It was the most joyous time. In Egypt, Jacob would see all is children and grandchildren lived together in harmony. This is true living.

At that aspect of Jacob life, he was consider a highly develop soul; he was connect to the Light of the CREATOR, even while he was on his way to Laban. Jacob struggles to reach perfection was made more difficult by the sins of Adam, Eating of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That dual nature, where one minute we was feeding his father and in the same breath deceiving him.

Jacob in his zeal to achieve spiritual boldness, he listened to his mother, as Adam listen to his Eve. Jacob had the right idea; however he went about it the wrong way. Jacob’s struggle, like ours, is to complete his correction. It was made far more difficult by following the flesh, his mother, and deceived his brother for the birthright. Often is our ignorance, we do not understand why certain things occur. I am trying so hard, I am doing so much spiritual work, how could this be wrong.

For an hundred and thirty years Jacob’s life was marked by a series of sadness. However, once he moved to Egypt, once he had completes the correction of his ego, Jacob could let go of the heaviness that he carried all these years.

Now that he had completed the process of bringing his ego into the submission of the Holy Spirit, he could truly live. Each of us come into life with a Tikkun, a correction we must all experience, the removal of the thorn bush and stony area of our live, so that our lives may be a lush meadow, where sorrow gives way to exuberance and joy, just as it did for Jacob.

This Parasha is unique in that there are no division between it and the preceding Parasha, in-contras to the general rule that a story begins on a new line. This Parasha is the exception, it continues in the same train of deliberation.

There is no coincident when we study different topic each week, it is a sign from the CREATOR. Similarly, there is no coincidence in the Torah; the specific word choices are always significant in the Hebrew language.

Before entering Egypt, Jacob’s life was marked by a series of conflict, it was only during life in Egypt did he learn to enjoy and display the fruit of the Spirit. His favorite son was alive and thriving as second in command in Egypt. He saw his children finally live in peace, his family flourish, and his grandchildren grew up.

A believer in their first three day of Creation, or the lower part of their spiritual development is not consider living according to Torah. How can we identify this concept in Jacob’s life and our selves? Jacob was a highly elevated soul; he was always connected to the Light of the CREATOR, so how can we say that during the first years of his life he did not live?

The years that Jacob lived in Yisrael were years when he was correcting the sin of Adam and the damage it did to the Brit or Covenant between YAHWEH and Man. The Signs of that damage include heaviness and a lack of what the Hebrew call chiut, or spiritual excitement, which can be seen both in the person who has done the damage and in the person correcting that harm (you and I), but to some degree, this correction is something we all must all experience in this life.

The degree of the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is a good indication of whether we have corrected this damage or not. If we experience Joy and excitement in our prayer on the Sabbath and in our connection to the Torah and the Holy Spirit, then we know that we have completed our part of the correction; if we do not feel that exuberance, we know that there is still more work to be done.

Jacob was more righteous than anyone in his generation as Noah was in his, he took it upon himself to spend a hundred and thirty years  correcting the consequence of Adam’s sin in his life, which meant that Jacob had to take on the manifestation of that damage as well, a life filled with a series of spiritual difficulties. After experiencing each challenges and overcoming each one, the CREATOR determine that the last seventeen years of his life, Jacob should enjoy the fruit of the Spirit, he had cultivate in himself.

Why did Jacob like us today have to suffer so much? Why did Jacob not see right away that Joseph was alive? After all, a spiritual person such as Jacob had access to the power of the Ruach Hakodesh, the Holy Spirit. The Shechinah, the Manifestation of the Divine Presence in our World cannot abide with Jacob while he was experience is Sanctification. Jacob like us did not know that the traumatic events of his life, was his Sanctification process. The Creator did not made it clear to Jacob, like HE is not making it clear to us that, because of the lack of clarity is a result of the sin of Adam, that we must all correct.

Jacob struggle like yours and mine is made far more difficult by doubt, brought on by the fact that we are working too hard spiritually and yet our lives like Jacob’s is filled with tragedy. Too often in our ignorance, we do not understand why certain things keep happening to us. I am doing so much good, so why should terrible things happen to me?

When we as believers experience strong challenges, this means that a Divine judgment is coming to us or our family. If we succumb to doubts, then we allow that judgment to manifest in our lives, but if we fight off those doubts, we remove the judgment. How we choose to deal with doubts makes all the difference!

For a hundred and thirty years, Jacob’s life was marked by a series of challenges or a series of events describe in the Torah. But once he overcame them, which moving to Egypt is a picture off, Jacob could now let go of the heaviness that he had been carrying around all his life. Now he could truly lived. Each of us comes into this world with a tikkun, a correction we must make in our lives.

Avoiding that work can lead to depression, and even when we engage in it, our doubts and uncertainties can contribute to our pain. But once we recognize what we are here to correct and succeed at the hard work of clearing away our tikkun, those thorny bushes will give way to a lush green field, sorrow gives way to exuberance and joy, just as it did for Jacob. Live lone and prosperous my friends and enjoy your struggles as you study about Jacob.

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. – Torah in this verse validates the euthenics of the story by instituting a time line of Jacob life; before a father request to his favorite son. I can only imagine the emotion circulating at this moment when a father speaks candidly to his son; maybe with some tears in his eyes, he might even say, son I love you and I am prude of you.

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 favor in your eyes, please put your hand under my thigh, and show kindness and truth to me. Please do not bury me in Mitsrayim, - Feeling that his death was near, Jacob sent for Joseph, the only one of his son who held both spiritual and physical power. He asks Joseph to swear that he would take his body back to the Land when he died. Jacob knew that they would sojourn in Egypt for 400 years; He also knew that Yisrael was the promise land, and he obviously should be buried in the Land promise to him by EL YAHWEH.  

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.” – The loyalty of Jacob to the greater cause, the establishing of the nation of Yisrael, that he would not even allowed his body to find a final resting place in Egypt “Mitsrayim.”

What marvels await each and every one of us, and our world with us, when we find our own godwithin “Anochi”.

After being with his son Joseph in Egypt for seventeen years, Jacob is about to die at the age of 147. His wish is that he would be buried in the family plot in Hebron. Joseph promise to fulfill his fathers wishes from his godwithin, to demonstrate the depth and the sincerity of his promise.

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.  – When Jacob (Yisrael) bowed down before Joseph, it was not an improper act, it was a sign that the father recognizes the level of authority his son had achieved as viceroy of Egypt; therefore recognizing this feat was not an improper act. Like Messiyah, Jacob departed from his body. When men reach the level of spiritual maturity, they will know when it is time to go. How many of us today knew in their spirit that it is time, are they resolved in their spirit that they had accomplish all that they had to accomplish. There was nothing else for them to do. If that is the case, then why would a mature believer even spend another day on this earth? As Paul said I desire to be with the Creator than to be here on earth.

Chapter 48

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. – I do believe that this illness was a spiritual desire to be in another far greater place than were he was. I have said this before and I will say it again, when one show restlessness in a place or with a person it is time to go. After Joseph returned from Goshem, Jacob became ill, restless in the spirit. When Joseph was informed, he brought his two sons so that Jacob would bless them, Joseph did not brought a doctor.  Men who are spiritually mature know the spiritual well being of others around them. The blessing included a major change in the composition of the Hebrew people, in that Jacob elevated Manasseh and Ephrain to the status of his own sons. In effect adopting them as his own; therefore, transferring to Joseph a double portion of the inheritance; removing the firstborn status from Reubin to Joseph.

Gen 48:2 And Yaʽaqoḇ was told, “See, your son Yosĕph is coming to you.” And Yisra’ĕl strengthened himself and sat up on the bed. – Even on his dying bed Jacob made an effort to greet his son in a manner of respect. It is always incumbent on every believer to put our best foot forward in every given situation. I might have one foot in the Kingdom; however, I must still function on this physical plane.

Gen 48:3 And Yaʽaqoḇ said to Yosĕph, “Ěl SHADDAI appeared to me at Luz in the land of Kenaʽan and blessed me, - In this verse Jacob explained to Joseph that the all Sufficient “God” YAHWEH EL SHADDAI appeared to him and gave Kanaan as the Land of Yisrael. It is always good for parent to past down the Promise of the Creator to their sons. Today the problem with Christianity is that they do not past down the promise of Jacob to their children. It was taken away from them at the Council of Nicaea, when Constantine asks them to stop Juadaize, to forget their Hebrew roots. The story of the Prodigal son applies to our Christian brother who has squandered his father’s wealth. Return you backsliding sons.

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.’ – Jacob explains to Joseph why he made the decision to add Manasseh and Ephraim to the list of tribes; when he had returned to the Land from his twenty year tenure with Laban he already had 11 sons. At that time EL YAHWEH bless him, saying that a nation would come from him, meaning that he would have more children, since each tribe is considered a nation in its own right.

Gen 48:5 “And now, your two sons, Ephrayim and Menashsheh, who were born to you in the land of Mitsrayim before I came to you in Mitsrayim, are mine. – as Re’uḇĕn and Shimʽon, they are mine. – Jacob explains to Joseph that both Ephrayim and Manasseh would be elevated to a higher position from grandsons to sons. Because of the small size of Joseph two sons, each tribe got the same size of inheritance, in the tribe of Ephrayim and Menasheh; the individual would receive a larger portion than those who are in a larger tribe.

Gen 48:6 “Your offspring whom you shall bring forth after them are yours, and let them be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance. - There is no recorder in history to suggest that Joseph ever having any other children after the two boys. So why then did Jacob make the statement if Joseph should have any other children?

Gen 48:7 “And I, when I came from Paddan, Raḥĕl died beside me in the land of Kenaʽan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath. And I buried her there on the way to Ephrath, that is Bĕyth Leḥem.” –  .

Gen 48:8 And Yisra’ĕl saw Yosĕph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?”  – Is it possible that these two boy who were not born in Yisrael or even spent any time in Yisrael, were too Egyptian in their dress that they could not be recognize, even by Jacob. Could this be an indicator that these two boys represent the adoption of the other nations who would be brought into the Kingdom by faith in Messiyah.

                                                                                         

Gen 48:9 And Yosĕph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom Elohim has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and let me bless them.” – Notice, what Joseph says about his sons, they are from YAHWEH Himself. Another principle worth noticing is that Joseph brought his sons to his father to be blessed. Grandfathers bless your grandchildren!

Gen 48:10 And the eyes of Yisra’ĕl were dim with age, and he was unable to see. And he drew them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them. - Another Torah principle Grandfathers kiss your grandchildren. When ever I go to my son’s home, the first thing I do is to kiss my grandchildren. My second grandson paid me a great compliment the other day. He was asking who do you love? He said first I love EL YAHWEH, then Grandpa, then Daddy, them Mommy. My son said to me later, if it was anyone else he would have been upset; He said, dad I understand why you are always kissing my boys. I was so trilled.

Gen 48:11 And Yisra’ĕl said to Yosĕph, “I had not thought to see your face. But see, Elohim has also shown me your seed!” - The gratitude of a loving father to his favorite son,” I had not thought I would see your face again. But see, EL YAHWEH has also shown me your seed.” A man is not truly bless until he sees his children children.

Gen 48:12 So Yosĕph took them from between his knees, and he bowed down with his face to the earth. -

  

Gen 48:13 And Yosĕph took them both, Ephrayim with his right hand toward Yisra’ĕl’s left hand, and Menashsheh with his left hand toward Yisra’ĕl’s right hand, and brought them near him. – Traditionally, one blesses another by laying his right hand on their head. The right hand represents spiritual primacy and is the preferred one for the performance of mittzvos. Consequently, if both sons were to be blessed simultaneously, Jacob’s right rand would be on the head of Manasseh, the firstborn, and his left hand on Ephraim’s. Therefore, Joseph positioned Ephraim on his right side, facing Jacob’s left.

Gen 48:14 And Yisra’ĕl stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephrayim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Menashsheh’s head, consciously directing his hands, for Menashsheh was the first-born. – Jacob crossed his hand, extending his right hand diagonally toward Ephrain, who was on his left side.

Jacob was being led by the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to perform this feat, by crossing his hand instead of extending them straight ahead, Jacob was actually affirming both boys with a blessing reserve for first born. The one standing on the right got the first born blessing, while the one standing on the left, had the right hand extended to him, also giving him the firstborn blessing as well.

Gen 48:15 And he blessed Yosĕph, and said, “The Elohim before whom my fathers Aḇraham and Yitsḥaq walked, the Elohim who has fed me all my life long to this day, - The Elohim whom my forefathers walked, who Abraham and Isaac served, the Unchanging Elohim, He is the One whom I put my trust, in His Name I will extend this blessing.

Gen 48:16 The Messenger who has redeemed me from all evil – bless the youths! And let my name be called upon them, and the name of my fathers Aḇraham and Yitsḥaq. And let them increase to a multitude in the midst of the earth.” – This is the essence of the prayer, That EL YAHWEH may assign His emissary, the Angel whom You always dispatch to redeem him from all evil, send that same angel to bless his grandsons.

Jacob’s prayer were certainly not address to the angel, for angel have no power to act except as an agent of the Holy One. This angel who redeem is indicative of Jacob’s faith. By him Divine Providence is present externally, always near to man, always merciful.

May the name of these two boys be declared among the name of the Abraham, and Isaac, may they be so righteous that the name of His father be bless. And may they proliferate abundantly like fish, which are multiply, and which are not affected by the evil eye, because fishes developed away from the prying eyes of the world.

Gen 48:17 And when Yosĕph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephrayim, it was evil in his eyes; and he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from the head of Ephrayim to the head of Menashsheh. – Joseph thought that because his father who was almost blind had made a mistake, he tried to correct his father. The term evil, mean that it was not protocol for Jacob to do so. It is always human nature to correct other when we do not understand spiritual matters.

Gen 48:18 And Yosĕph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the first-born, put your right hand on his head.” – Even though Jacob might have been limited in his ability to see clearly, he was not so in the spirit. He was fully aware of what he was doing, therefore he motioned to Joseph in the next verse.

Gen 48:19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also becomes a people, and he also is great. And yet, his younger brother is greater than he, and his seed is to become the completeness of the nations.” – We see a repeat of the incident with Jacob and Esau, when the blessing was to be given; Isaac had a problem discerning between both boys. Is it possible that Jacob prayed that when the time arrives he would not come to the same problem that plagues his father Isaac? After all, the sins of the father does pass down to the third and forth generation. 

Gen 48:20 And he blessed them on that day, saying, “In you Yisra’ĕl shall bless, saying, ‘Elohim make you as Ephrayim and as Menashsheh!’ ” Thus he put Ephrayim before Menashsheh. – Could it be that the expression on that day was referring to a present continuous tense, meaning that whenever in the future when we bless our sons and grand sons; this prayer should be repeated? This also means that this is a prayer for Yisrael, not Gentile; therefore if one does not consider themselves Yisrael this prayer does not apply.

Gen 48:21 And Yisra’ĕl said to Yosĕph, “See, I am dying, but Elohim shall be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers. – Having blessed his grandson, Jacob turn to Joseph; he was about to past the mantle on to the leader of the next generation, reminding him of the purpose of EL YAHWEH. It is always incumbent on all leaders to pass on the scepter of leadership with a blessing and repeat the promise; something that is lacking in today’s Christian church.

Gen 48:22 “And I, I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow.”  - As the newly appointed leader of the Children of Yisrael in exile, he was also given a double portion, as symbolic of the first born status. My question is! Were there only four people present at this award ceremony? Or were there others there also?

                                                                    

Chapter 49

Blessing formulates an important part in the Book of Genesis and Torah on a whole. From the time of Adam, mature believers were given the ability and capability to name or bless whomever they want.

The righteous can confer a blessing is a Divine privilege, for he is endow with the metaphysical force that make the blessing efficacious. At this moment in the history of the Children of Yisrael, Jacob’s progeny were embarking on the historic task of constituting an independent nation. Before he died, Jacob whishes to confer upon his sons the Divine blessing and prophecy needed to succeed in this world.

Jacob was about to prophecy a blessing according to the gifts and calling of each tribe. So that they would be directed towards the path for which EL YAHWEH had created them, for the blessing was essential for the uniqueness of each tribe mission.

In a sense Jacob was like Adam at the beginning of time, giving name to all living creatures. As the one closest to EL YAHWEH and with an all-encompassing vision, Adam understood what each animal’s role was in the grand scheme of the Universe, and names them accordingly. Jacob too, as the zenith of the Patriarchal era, had his ability, and he assigned his sons to their respective missions accordingly.

Gen 49:1 And Yaʽaqoḇ (Jocob) called his sons and said, “Gather together, so that I declare to you what is to befall you in the last days: - The names and the blessing given to each tribe was a description of each individual tribe personality, the path each tribe should follow on the road to maturity.

Gen 49:2 “Gather together and hear, you sons of Yaʽaqoḇ, and listen to Yisra’ĕl your father. - Jacob rebuked his oldest son. The method used here is a general rule for those who wish to admonish others in a constructed way. They must weigh careful their words, lest their sincere comments do more harm than good.

Gen 49:3 “Re’uḇĕn, you are my first-born, my power and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of exaltation and the excellency of power. – Yisrael begins by recounting that, as the firstborn, Reuben should have been entitled to the priesthood of the family. Having kingship or power, but instead these privilege went to Levi and Judyah. He had forfeited them, because.

Gen 49:4 “Boiling like water, you do not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, then you defiled it – he went up to my couch. – Like water, you lost your right to national leadership because of your impetuosity with which you rushed to vent your anger. This incident with Bilhah when he had sex with his father wife. It is hasty recklessness like that of a fast flowing water, which rush ahead and cause damage without any thought to the consequence of the action.

It is this natures of your, that keep you from the most covetous position in the family.  Because of this nature, the birth-right has been given to Judyah and Levi. The tragedy of Reuben is informative. Like most of us, we do not mean to sin; to the contrary, he thought he was acting virtuously in defending his mother honor. Reuben repented sincerely, and was held up to a model of sincere repented sincerity, but this did not save him from loosing his status as first born. As believers we must always think through our decision and reckon their consequence.

After having explain why Reuben forfeited the prerogatives of the birthright, Jacob then explained why Simeon and Levi, the next two sons, were also unworthy to succeed Reuben as first born. Yisrael group Simeon and Levi together, describing them as comrades, because as he explained in poetic terms, they joined together in conspiracy and violence. They perpetrated the violence against Shechem and they instigated the sale of Joseph.

Gen 49:5 “Shimʽon and I are brothers, their weapons are implements of violence. – Simeon and Levi’s preoccupation with the weaponry of violence is a trait they have stolen from Esau. He, not Jacob, was the brother who lived by the sword. Jacob sword is prayed as seen in Genesis 48:22.

Gen 49:6 “Let my being(Nefesh) not enter their council, let my esteem(consciousness) not be united to their assembly; because they slew a man in their displeasure, and they lamed an ox in pleasure. – In this verse a plie for the Soul of Jacob not to be united with those who did violemce, for they kill all the men of Shechem, included they destroyed its cattle.

Gen 49:7 “Cursed be their displeasure for it is fierce, and their wrath for it is cruel! I divide them in Yaʽaqob(Jacob)̱ and scatter them in Yisra’ĕl. – One principle here was that Yisrael did not accuse his son’s he address their actions. Rage (the inclination) is the fury that causes them to lash out when they lost their temper, but wrath is the ability to sustain it. The tendency of these people was scattered even in Yisrael.

Gen 49:8 “You, Yehuḏah(Judyah), your brothers praise you; your hand is on the neck of your enemies; your father’s children bow down before you. – Judyah you “this word you emphatic” are not like them. You, your brothers shall acknowledge. Judyah is the source of Hebrew leadership and Royalty, of the Davidic dynasty and source of the Messiyah.

Gen 49:9 “Yehuḏah is a lion’s cub; from the prey you have gone up, my son! He bowed down, he crouched like a lion. And like a lion, who does rouse him? – In the future Judyah would be like a Lion, the King of the beast, when Yisrael bless him he was still a cub, for his greatest moments, was still to come. You combine the courage of youth with the prudence of age. Here is a characteristic being describe of a true mature son, he humble himself, but when arose will be like a roaring lion.

Gen 49:10 “The scepter shall not turn aside from Yehuḏah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to Him is the obedience of peoples. – The privilege of providing Yisrael Royalty will never past from the lineage of Judyah. This blessing did not take effect immediately. However, Yisrael’s blessing applied uninterruptedly from the time that the monarchy went to David, ad will continue indefinitely.

This word will mean that the rulership will continue as it is until King Messiyah comes. At that time all the nations will assemble to acknowledge his greatness and pay homage to Him.

Though Jacob could not reveal the “End” to his sons, he did provide them with a glimpse of the Messiyanic era. Judyah’s district will be productive and flow with wine like a fountain. So lush will his vineyards be that a farmer will tie his donkey to a single vine, for it will produce as many grapes as a donkey can carry.

This passage continues hyperbolically with more illustrations of the productivity of Judyah’s land. Messiyah is associated with a donkey rather than a horse ready for battle, because he is depicted not as a warrior but as a man of peace who represent prosperity; thus the simile of the vineyard. His wars will be won by EL YAHWEH, not through force of arms.

  

Gen 49:11 “Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. -  

Gen 49:12 “His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. –

Gen 49:13 “Zeḇulun dwells at the seashore, he is for a haven for ships, and his border is unto Tsiḏon. – Having given a glimpse of the Messiyanic era and of Judyah as a fitting leader of the future House of Yisrael, Yisrael now turn to his other sons. He bestows his blessing upon each according to his particular role in the harmony of the twelve tribes.  Zebulon would be in the shipping business. It was the Jewish people who funded the ships that brought the slaves from Africa to the New world, this can e seen in the History of the Jewish people, written by Johnson. Today a lot of Jews are in the container business, these are the tribe of Zebulon.

Although Issachar was older, Yisrael gave precedence to Zebulon because Issachar’s Torah learning was made possible by Zebulon, who engaged in commerce and supported Issachar. One cannot engage in Torah study without material necessities, if there is no flower there in no Torah. That is why the Torah commands the nation to provide gifts for the Kohanim and Levites, who devote themselves to the study and Teaching of Torah.

Although the simile of strong of strong boned donkey and the reference to a land seem to allude to agricultural pursuits, a view indeed expressed by many, Issachar’s spiritual role as a bearer of the yoke of Torah and one who help cultivate the spiritual treasure of the people.

Gen 49:14 “Yissasḵar is a strong donkey lying down between two burdens, - He rests between the boundaries. - The Torah is what they toil day and night in their studies without formal rest, but they like a donkey are spiritual tranquil.  

Gen 49:15 and he saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant, and he inclined his shoulder to bear a burden, and became a subject to slave labour. – This verse too can be taken literally as a reference to the agricultural prosperity, or as a symbolic allusion to the tranquility and pleasantness of the hard but rewarding task of Torah study. The Torah will always make those who study it an indentured laborer. Servant to the people!

Dan, after concluding his blessing on Leah’s six sons, Yisrael went on to the oldest son of Bilhah. Jacob alluded prophetically to Dan’s descendant Samson who single-handedly fought and defeated the Philistines and in his time brought unity to Yisrael.

Gen 49:16 “Dan rightly rules his people as one of the tribes of Yisra’ĕl. – An expression of the spirit of the Judge Samson, and all future leaders from that Tribe.

Gen 49:17 “Dan is a serpent by the way, an adder by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward. - Like a serpent leaving it’s lair to attack travelers and then settling back into its hiding place, Samson waged a personal guerrilla-like war against the philistines, catching them by surprise and going into hiding before they could counterattack.

Gen 49:18 “I have waited for your deliverance, O יהוה  - This verse is exemplified by Samson’s prayerful declaration that his salvation and hope were all from EL YAHWEH, not from any prowess of his own. Even his phenomenal strength was not his own; it was a gift from EL YAHWEH for the service of Yisrael.

Gen 49:19 “Gaḏ, a raiding band raids him, but he raids its heel. – Jacob went from Bilhah’s older son to Zilpah’s although the Gadites’s territory was on the east of Jordon; they nobly crossed the Jordon to assist their brother in conquering the land. They fought the Canaanites valiantly and did not return home until the land was won. Yisrael prophesied that after the conquest, Gad will return safely by the same road which they had initially traveled, and not one of there troops would be missing.

Gen 49:20 “Bread from Ashĕr is rich, and he gives delicacies of a sovereign. – Asher land will be rich in olive groves that it will flow with oil like a fountain. His rich produce will be worthy of royal tables and will be sought after by Kings.

Having blessed Zilpah’s sons, Yisrael now turn to Bilhah’s youngest son, and thus concluded the sons of the maidservants.

Gen 49:21 “Naphtali is a deer let loose, he gives words of elegance. – The simile the Deer loose is a simile that carries a connotation of swiftness, for which three proof: The territory of Naphtali’s its crops will ripen swiftly, like a hind let loose to run free. In the war against Sisera the valiant warriors of Naphtali were nimble as hinds, and played a leading role in the battle. And on the day Jacob was buried the swift Naphtali ran with proof that Jacob, not Esau, was entitled to be buried in the cave of Machpelah.

This tribe will be very eloquent in words, such as the great influence of the Jewish people in Holywood.

Yisrael now turned to the sons of Rachel, who were born last and who were his comfort after the loss of his beloved wife. He began with ecstatic praise of Joseph, whose talent and purity survived hatred and temptation.

        

Gen 49:22 “Yosĕph is an offshoot of a fruit-bearing tree, an offshoot of a fruit-bearing tree by a fountain, his branches run over a wall. – Joseph was a prolific vine or tree growing luxuriantly by a spring, whose boughs or vines surge upwards over the surrounding walls. This alludes to a personality type, one who overcomes every obstacle that present itself before him.

Gen 49:23 “And the archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him. – Joseph rose to fame despite the problems he had to overcome at his brother’s hands. The mouths of people are like arrows; purveyors of malicious slander and gossip dealt bitterly with Joseph, but, by the grace of EL YAHWEH, we can rise to prominence despite them.

The reason why Judyah not Joseph became the leader of the nations; noble though he was, Joseph provoked jealousy in people, while Judyah enjoyed undisputed popularity. In Hebrew literature only Joseph is called the righteous one, because of his grandeur of soul and high moral caliber. Even though Jacob had assign royalty to Judyah, he praises Joseph as the crown among his brothers.

Gen 49:24 “But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty One of Yaʽaqoḇ – from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Yisra’ĕl – Bow alludes to power. Someone who will withstand the attacks and hatred of his foes, Joseph’s power as regent of Egypt was firmly establish when Pharaoh gilded his arm by placing the royal ring on his finger. All this will happen to the character of Joseph by EL YAHWEH help. From the position as viceroy, or from his position as the victim of slander, Joseph became the shepherd who provided sustenance for Yisrael. The word stone denote kingship, the primary personage of the nation, as it is used in Zechariah 4:7. The above contraction support of the entire family, for it is the building block, the stone with which a nation is built.

Gen 49:25 from the Ěl of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty (SHADDAI) who blesses you with blessings of the Heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. – When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, his heart remained with EL YAHWEH and he overcame his desire. The Name SHADDAI, often translated as All-Sufficient, refers to EL YAHWEH as the One Who sets the proper limits of all things, good or bad. In the context of this verse, when Joseph needs EL YAHWEH help to maintain his spiritual integrity, and in the future when Yisrael cries out to Him as Joseph did in his time of his greatest spiritual struggle, EL YAHWEH provides sufficient blessings for the people as He did for Joseph.

The blessings, EL YAHWEH will bring blessing even from the sub-terranean springs, so that the Joseph’s mentality lands will be fertile even in times of scarce rainfall. Thy womb will be bless so that women will carry to term and give birth to healthy babies and the bosom will provide enough milk to nourish them.

  

Gen 49:26 “The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, up to the limit of the everlasting hills. They are on the head of Yosĕph, and on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers. – The Benjamin’s mentality is likening unto a wolf: mighty, fearless warriors, as depicted in the affair of the concubine at gibeah, Judges chapter 19-20.

King Saul a Benjamite who in his short reign, defeated the Moab, Edom, and the Philistia. The morning star that rose as Yisrael’s champion during the early years of Yisrael’s history, when the nation begin to flourish.

Gen 49:27 “Binyamin is a wolf that tears, in the morning he eats prey, and at night he divides the spoil.” - In the evening of the decline of Yisrael when the people were in exile to Babylonia and Persia, Benjamin’s offspring will triumph over Yisreal’s enemies as we see in Mordicai and Ester, of the tribe of Benjamin. Like a wolf they divided the spoils of victory.

Gen 49:28 All these are the twelve tribes of Yisra’ĕl, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them, he blessed each one according to his own blessing. – The Torah reiterates the point made in Genesis 35:22 that there are twelve tribes, even though the tribe of Joseph had been divided into two tribes.

The Connotation is not that the twelve full-fledged tribes are only those mentions in Yisrael blessing, in which Manasseh and Ephraim are not counted separately. Rather, there were always twelve tribes; if Levi was reckoned as one of them, Manasseh and Ephraim were combined and listed as the tribe of Joseph.