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Parsha Page
Torah, Genesis 47:1-31
Then Yosef came and
reported to Pharaoh, saying, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks and
herds and all that is theirs, have come from the land of Canaan and are now in
the region of Goshen.”
Yosef presented his brothers
and his father to Pharaoh, who repeated that they were to be allowed to live in
the best part of the land. Since they claimed to be shepherds, Pharaoh suggested
that they live in Goshen, and went so far as to suggest that some of the more
able persons be put in charge of his own flocks.
In the remaining years of
the famine, Yosef appropriated all of the money of Mitzrayim (Egypt), and the
people even sold themselves into bondage to Pharaoh in return for food. Yoseph
acquired all the property and land of the Egyptians for Pharaoh. In that same
time, Isra’el settled in the land of Mitzrayim in the region of Goshen; acquired
property in it and they were fruitful and multiplied greatly. The family came as
70 poor souls, now they are prosperous in a way that the native Egyptians are
not. Ya’akov has lived in Mitzrayim with Yosef and his other sons for 17 years.
He has seen their prosperity, and realizes how easy it would be for them to
dwell there longer than his God has planned for them. He knows he has been
transient in his life, and in the land, and his offspring should be as well. So
he provides his descendants with hope, saying that they will leave Mitzrayim,
and extracts a promise not to bury him in Mitzrayim, but to carry out his bones
and bury him with Ya’akov and the rest of his ancestors.
Qeriath, Amos
9:11-15
Amos is also a shepherd, prophesying in the days of Uzziah, the king of
Judah, and Jeroboam, king of Isra’el. He has just prophesied regarding the final
judgment – in which he gives the hope of a remnant. In this reading he tells us
that the Messianic era will come, when Adonai will restore the kingship of David
and cause the people to prosper in the land for all eternity.
Da'ath, John 1:14-18
Yochanon is writing this Gospel years after the other three had been written,
and seems to be attempting to describe how we can know HaShem – and how to live
out that knowledge in our lives. He has described Yeshua as the Word, through
Whom all things were created. He is fully divine, but has come to live among men
in an earthly, human form. He is also fully human. This is a mystery and hard to
comprehend, but Yochanon presents it as fact. John the Immerser declared Yeshua
to be Messiah, and Yochanon explains that although no man has seen God, we can
know Him by knowing Yeshua His Son.
Igarath, James 5:12-20
James concludes his letter to the believers in the Diaspora with more
specific, practical ways to live their halachah - living out their law. As did
Matthew, James tells us not to swear an oath, but let our 'yes be yes, and no be
no'. We are told to pray when we are in trouble, to sing songs of praise when
times are good. To be anointed by the elders when we are sick, acknowledge our
sins to one another, and pray for one another so that we may be healed. Eliyahu
(Elijah) is used as an example that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful
and effective. And we are told to lead those that have strayed from the truth
back to the path, and there will be blessings for that in heaven. This is the
ultimate in healing, preventing a spiritual death.
Conclusion
Torah tells us that Ya’akov gave hope to the future of Isra’el, stating
that they will be carried out of Mitzrayim and return to the home that Adonai
had given them. Qeriath gives hope, saying that when Messiah comes, all Isra’el
will live in the Land in peace. Da'ath points to our Hope, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Igarath tells us of the hope we have through the power of prayer of a righteous
man to obtain the mercy of Adonoi.
Barukh HaShem,
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Shalom