Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Parasha Overview: Vayechi (Videos)

Weekly Sidra: Vayechi (He lived) Torah Portion: Bereshit / Genesis 47:28-50:26 Haftorah: Melechim Alef / Kings I 2:1-12 Vayechi, Vayehi, or Vayhi (וַיְחִי — Hebrew for “and he lived,” the first word of the prshah) is the twelfth weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the last in the Book of Genesis. It constitutes Genesis 47:28–50:26. Jews in the Diaspora read it the twelfth Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in December or January. The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, “Yacov lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years” (Genesis 47:28). In this Torah portion, Yacov prepares for his death by securing a double portion of inheritance for Joseph and then blessing each of his sons with prophetic blessings. The book of Genesis ends with the death of Yacov, followed shortly by the death of Joseph and a promise of redemption from Egypt. In last week's parsha, Miketz, Yakov Avinu and his entire family, the progenitors of the twelve tribes, descended into Egypt. The sedra now begins with Yaakov at age 147, having been in Mitzrayim for 17 years. (Remember that Yosef was 17 when the trouble started - any connection?) The Torah tells us that Yaakov is near death and Yosef is called to his bedside. Yaakov asks Yosef that he (Yaakov) should not be buried in...