January 2, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Vayechi 5786 (2025)
Genesis 47:28-50:26; 1. Kings 2:1-12.
Vayechi, the name of this Torah portion means “and he lived” and it refers to Jacob living in Egypt. It is really the end of the story of Jacob’s family, his sons, and their relationships in Egypt. The end of a chapter is seen at the beginning of this portion as Jacob, soon to die, asks to be buried not in Egypt but in the Land of Israel.
“Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt…” (Genesis 47:28-39 NIV)
This request was made to Joseph. We remember that Joseph was the second most powerful figure in Egypt. Of Jacob’s sons Joseph was the one who could make sure that Jacob would indeed be buried where he wanted.
Siblings
The story has another interesting turn. If the root of evil with regard Joseph and his brothers was Jacob favoring one son over others, history almost seems to repeat itself here.
“And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand and brought them close to him.
But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim’s head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh’s head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.” (Genesis 48:13-14 NIV)
Joseph did not appreciate Jacob’s gesture. Despite Joseph’s own elevated positions among his brothers and his early dreams, he favored tradition. This meant that the first-born deserved a special blessing.
“When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.” (Genesis 48:17 NIV)
Both received a blessing, but Jacob knew that here the younger one was destined for more.
A Messianic King
Jacob talked about the future of his family. Each of his sons received special prophecy, Jacob foresaw the tribes and their destinies. The most powerful word was for Judah. He is a lion. Furthermore, in the Hebrew language there is the word Shiloh used here. This refers to the coming Messiah. This will be a king, and he must come from the tribe of Judah.
“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you.
You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10 NIV)
David
In the prophetic portion, King David, of the family of Judah, dies. But his son rules and the kingdom is firmly under his authority. David was the most important king to come from the lineage of Judah. He is a prophetic figure, yet another king will rise after him.
“Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem.
So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.” (1. Kings 2: 10-12 NIV)
Lion of Judah
The Book of Revelation refers to the apocalyptic, as in hidden things, yet to come. John, exiled at the Island of Patmos, saw a vision where (in heaven) no one was worthy of opening a scroll. He felt sad. But he was then told to stop crying. He was told that there was One who was worthy.
This New Testament text is confirmation of what Jacob said to his sons.
“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Rev. 5: 5 NIV)
Siblings – Holocaust
The Bible has stories of families and siblings. But there are also many stories of siblings coping together during the Holocaust. One such story is that of Ruth Steinfeld and her sister Lea, told at Exhibit 3 of the Holocaust Garden of Hope. These were five-year-old girls. With their mother, they were taken to Camp Gurs in France following the Kristallnacht.
There the girls’ mother was given an unthinkable offer. She would have to stay behind and give her daughters to the care of OSE (Children’s Aid Society), a French organization helping children. Her daughters would have at least an opportunity to survive.
What daggers must have pierced her heart as she was making the decision?
She gave her precious little daughters to the care of strangers. This is how they survived and after the war came to live in Houston, Texas.
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
