Topic 1: Weekly Torah Portion: The Forefathers and the Land Jewish Prayer at the Cave of the Patriarchs
In this week’s portion, we finish the book of Genesis with the conclusion of the story of Joseph and his brothers– the brothers and Jacob are all in Egypt, Jacob blesses his children before his death, and the…
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Topic 2: Jacob Blesses His Sons
Jacob now sets out to bless his own sons. He wishes to tell them what will befall them in the End of Days. To Reuben, Simeon and Levi, Jacob offers only chastisement for their earlier actions. Reuben, for interfering with Jacob’s marital bed (see Genesis 35:22), and Simeon and Levi for their rash attack… 
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Topic 3: Jacob’s Burial
Joseph weeps at Jacob’s passing, and orders his father’s body to be embalmed, a process which the Torah says takes forty days. He then asks Pharaoh’s leave to bury his father in Israel, as he had promised, and Pharaoh agrees. Joseph’s brothers attended the burial, along with Pharaoh’s servants and the elders of Egypt. So…
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Topic 4: Joseph’s Final Days
After Jacob’s death, the brothers worry that Joseph will at long last be moved to avenge himself upon them. They therefore claim their father asked before he died that Joseph be merciful and forgive his brothers for what they did to him. They offer to serve him as slaves. Joseph responds that although their…
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Topic 5: Jacob Nears Death
After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob feels the end of his days approaching. Knowing he would die there and not return to his homeland, he makes Joseph swear to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah with his wife, parents and grandparents. The Israel Bible emphasizes Jacob’s request. Even though his life is comfortable…
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