What We Discussed: Vay’chi

Posted on December 20, 2021

Shalom TBAY!

Wondering what we discussed this past Shabbat? Here is a link to Friday Night’s D’Var Torah: Our End-of-Life Wishes.

On Saturday, we discussed Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Menasheh. Jacob tells Joseph he will treat them as if they are Jacob’s own sons and give them each a potion in the land of Israel, just as his other sons.  Why did Jacob do this? Was it because he decided to treat Joseph as his first born, giving him the first-born’s birthright (instead of Reuben)? Was it to honor Joseph’s mother Rachel? And why did he treat only Ephraim and Menasheh this way and not any other children of Joseph? What do you think? Here is a link to the Source Sheet.

Shavua Tov!

— Rabbi Rubin : )