Parasha Vayechi – Year 2 – Ya’akov blesses his sons.
Shabbat Shalom, Nazarene family.
This week we will see the parasha Vayechi, portion of year 2, in which we will see the final words of our patriarch Ya’akov before being reunited with his ancestors. In this passage we see the particular blessings that Ya’akov pronounced on each of his sons, where he reflects the strengths and weaknesses of each son, marking their legacy and the role they will play in the history of Israel.
B’reisheet (Genesis) 48:28
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing.
This week corresponds to the reading of the texts (in bold):
- B’reisheet (Genesis) 47:28-48:22 / 49:1-49:27 / 49:28-50:26
- Melachim Aleph (1 Kings) 2:1-9 / 2:10-35 / 2:36-46
- Luqa (Luke) 4:31-37 / 4:38-44 / 5:1-11
Summary of the weekly study, Year two:
B’reisheet (Genesis) 49:1-49:27
In these verses, Ya’akov calls his sons to give them his final blessings and prophecies. He speaks about the future of each son and describes their characteristics and destinies. Reuben, the firstborn, loses his birthright because he is unstable. Simeon and Levi are punished for their violence. Judah is blessed with leadership and strength, from whom kingship is expected to come. Zebulun will prosper in trade. Issachar will be industrious. Dan will judge his people. Gad will fight valiantly. Asher shall have plenty. Naphtali will be free. Joseph is blessed with great fertility and strength. Benjamin will be a fierce warrior. These words mark the role of each tribe in Israel.
Melachim Aleph (1 Kings) 2:10-35
In these verses, King David dies and his son Solomon becomes king. Before he dies, David gives Solomon instructions on how to rule wisely and secure his kingdom. Solomon follows this advice: he orders Adonijah killed for attempting to usurp the throne; removes Abiathar as priest for his support of Adonijah; and executes Joab, a general guilty of bloodshed. Solomon also places Benaiah as head of the army and Zadok as high priest. These actions consolidate Solomon’s power and establish his authority as the new king of Israel.
Luqa (Luke) 4:38-44
In these verses, Yeshua shows His power by healing many. First, He heals Shimon Kepha’s mother-in-law who was sick with fever. Then, in the evening, He brings healing to many people with various diseases and casts out demons. The demons recognize Yeshua as the Son of Elohim, but He commands them to be silent. At dawn, Yeshua withdraws to a solitary place to pray, but the people seek Him out and beg Him not to leave. Yeshua tells them that He must preach the kingdom of Yahweh in other places as well, for that is why He was sent. Thus, He continues His mission in other cities.
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Enjoy this fun activity with the whole family. Inside you will find development questions for the three weekly sections (Torah, Haftarah and Brit Chadashah). While the older ones discuss the questions and their answers, the younger ones can color the picture related to the teaching, solve a maze, find the 7 differences and much more. We encourage you to do it week by week and instill in your children the habit of studying Yahweh’s word as a family.
We hope you and especially your sons and daughters enjoy this effort. For it is through the study of the Scriptures that we can come to understand the love and care that Yahweh has always had for us. And also to perceive that He has been taking care of even the smallest detail, so that we can take care and enjoy all that He gives us. That is why it is so important that our children learn and grow up knowing that they are loved by the Creator of all that exists.
Shalom.
