Earning Your Place
This week’s
parasha and the final parasha in Genesis is Va-yehi. Preparing to leave this
world, Jacob talks to his sons one last time. In his final hours, Jacob blesses
Joseph and Joseph’s sons, then his other 11 sons. Jacob tells Joseph he wishes
to be buried back in Canaan . After Jacob’s passing,
Joseph’s brothers offer themselves to Joseph as slaves, but he won’t have it.
The parasha closes with Joseph’s death.
When Jacob
blesses Joseph, he blesses him with a portion more than his brothers. As
first-born, Reuben would normally have the birthright, but this was squandered
for not standing up for Joseph and for sleeping with his father’s concubine
(Gen 35:22). This shows that even though you think you should qualify for
something, i.e. being part of a religion, you still have to work for rewards.
It is said “With great power comes great responsibility.” We have the blessing
and curse of free will. Let’s handle our souls with care.
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