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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 37:1-36
Now
Jacob was settled in the land where his father had sojourned, the land of
Canaan. This, then, is the line of Jacob: At seventeen years of age, Joseph
tended the flocks with his brothers, as a helper to the sons of his father’s
wives Bilhah and Zilpah. And Joseph brought bad reports of them to his father.
Beginning with this Torah reading, the story of Isra’el turns from Ya’akov to
his sons, focusing on events in Yoseph’s life. The young Yosef is far from
perfect. He is in the fields, assigned to helping the sons of his fathers slave
women, quite different from the position he holds in his father’s heart as the
eldest son of Ya’akovs favored wife, Rivkah. Yoseph brings bad reports about his
brothers. He has been raised as a much-favored son by a doting father, and in
his immaturity he brags about his dreams to his brothers and his father. In his
dreams, his brothers, and then his father and mother (who happens to already be
dead), become subservient to Yoseph. As we read the rest of the story of Yoseph
in Egypt, we will see that these dreams come true, with Yoseph providing grain
first to his siblings, then to his father directly. Ya’akov gives Yoseph an
ornamented robe that signifies that his father expects him to have authority
over his older brothers. And in all this his brothers learn to hate him.
The
brothers conspire to kill Yosef, but Re’uven (the oldest) convinces them to
spare his life. Instead, they sell him into slavery.
After Yosef is gone, they tell Ya’akov that his favorite son has been killed.
This sets into motion events that will forever change the fate of the seed of
Avraham, and will provide salvation for a nation during a tremendous famine.
This reading closes with Ya’akov mourning for his lost son, and Yosef being sold
to Potifar, one of Pharaoh’s officials.
Qeriath, Isaiah 32:18 - 33:15
Yeshiyahu is prophesying first of the destruction of Yerushalayim because of the
wickedness of the people, then this reading turns to words of hope, revealing
that Adonai will rise up and provide salvation and comfort to His people.
Assyria will be destroyed; the people repent and turn to Adonai with confidence
in His power. Finally Adonai tells the people that He will respond, but the
people that are doomed include not only the enemies of Isra’el, but also the
sinners within Zion. Only the righteous, those who follow the mitzvoth of Torah,
will be secure.
Da'ath, 1 John 3:11-22
Yochanon (John) has been describing a righteous person as one who does what is
righteous, that is following Torah. Everyone who does not continue doing what is
right, or love his brother, is not from God. Kayin hated his brother and killed
him because Evel was righteous, and Kayin was not. The world will also hate
those who are righteous. If we continue in Torah and loving each other with
actions, our hearts will be at peace before Adonoi, and that is how we will know
that we are continuing in truth. Igarath, Hebrews 13:7-17 The author reminds us to remember and obey our leaders that have authority over us, so that our treatment of them causes their leadership to be a blessing to them, not a burden. We have a reminder to follow Torah, not being lead astray by false teachings. The analogy is that our hearts are strengthened through grace because of this obedience, not by blind obedience as to which foods to eat. Yeshua is a sacrifice whose blood has made the people holy to God in ways the cohen gadol (High Priest) could not. We need to seek Him and His dwelling, and continue doing good and sharing with others, which pleases God. Conclusion Torah begins the story of how the righteousness of Yoseph provided a way for Adonai to save Isra’el during a famine. Qeriath shows Adonai’s mercy and grace as He delivers the righteous in Isra’el, even after their disobedience. Da’ath tells us to obey Adonoi, by following Torah we will be considered righteous. Igarath is another reminder to obey Torah, with faith in Yeshua who, through grace, has offered his own body as the sin sacrifice required for our cleansing, so that we may be considered His righteousness.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom