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Parasha #12: Vayechi (וַיְחִי)

Reading passages

Torah: Genesis 47:28-50:26 (Hebrew: פָּרָשַׁת וַיְחִי)
Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Summary

Parasha Vayechi (“and he lived”) is the final portion of the Book of Genesis. It recounts the closing moments of Jacob’s life as he blesses his sons and imparts his final wishes and prophecies upon them, including the notable blessings to Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob requests to be buried in the Cave of Machpelah alongside his ancestors, emphasizing the importance of the family burial place an the land. The parasha also describes Jacob’s death and the elaborate mourning and burial processions. Additionally, it addresses the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers after their father’s death, reassuring them of his forgiveness. This parasha marks the end of the patriarchal era, setting the stage for the Israelites’ journey into Egypt and the subsequent events of the Exodus.

Parasha statistics

Interactive statistics for all parashot (# of words, sentences, etc.)

Parasha Data Sheet

Verse	Query	Description
Gen. 48:1	God caused to see	God as subject with verb רָאָה with hifil stem (expressing causative actions)
Gen. 49:33	Completion	Verb כָּלָה - completing

GitHub	NBviewer	Short description
hapax	hapax	find unique words (hapax legomena) in this parasha
lexical_parallels.ipynb	Lexical parallels	find lexical parallels between verses
delta_mt_and_sp.ipynb	Delta SP and MT	identify differences between the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) and Masoretic Text (MT)

GitHub	NBviewer	Short description
hapax	hapax	Find unique words (hapax legomena) in this parasha.
Lexical parallels	Lexical parallels	Find lexical parallels between verses.
Delta SP and MT	Delta SP and MT	Identify differences between the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) and Masoretic Text (MT).
Parasha statistics	Parasha statistics	Create graphical statistics for this parasha.

Hebcal

Additional details about Jewish calendar and holiday information, offering users a resource for tracking Hebrew dates, candle lighting times, and other relevant information in the Jewish calendar. Hebcal entry for parasha Vayechi.

AI generated image

The following image was created by DALL.E based upon the initial prompt “A biblical scene depicting Jacob blessing his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, in his final moments. Jacob, an elderly man with a long white beard, sits on an ancient wooden bed, crossing his hands as he places his right hand on the head of the younger grandson, Ephraim, and his left hand on the older grandson, Manasseh. Both children are clearly visible and Jacob is looking toward Ephraim while blessing him. Joseph, dressed in traditional Egyptian attire with royal garments, stands behind them, reaching forward as if trying to correct Jacob’s hands, showing concern. The setting is a warm, intimate space with soft lighting, symbolizing the passing of wisdom and legacy. The expressions on the faces of Jacob, Joseph, and the children convey deep emotion and spiritual significance.”