For the last three portions, we have seen the story of Joseph unfold. Up until now, we have learned the main events of Joseph’s life. We learned about Joseph’s descent into Egypt through the seemingly unfortunate circumstances initiated by his brothers’ hatred toward him. But then we saw how God used this for His own purposes, placing Joseph in a strategic position to be the savior of not only his own family but also the world. We read about the reunion of Joseph and his family, and how he moved his father and all of his brothers down to Egypt so that he could take care of them. Now, in our final portion from the book of B’reisheet (Genesis), we learn about the final days of Jacob and his desire to bestow his blessings upon his children before his passing. The focal point of this portion is the individual blessings he gives to each of his sons, with the adoption and blessing of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, being an unexpected turn of events.
At the end of last week’s parashah, we were left with a cliff hanger. Pharaoh’s royal baker was executed and his chief cupbearer was restored to office just as Joseph had told them, based on their respective dreams. The very last verse, however, left off by telling us, “Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23). Although the royal cupbearer was restored to his position, Joseph was forgotten and left in prison.
In our day a large number of Yeshua’s followers find affinity with the charismatic movement, particularly among those in the Messianic or Hebrew Roots movements. It seems the reasoning behind this attraction is that they are seeking to recapture the power demonstrated by Yeshua’s earliest followers. After all, Yeshua promised power to his disciples upon their receiving the Holy Spirit after his ascension. He told his disciples:
Righteousness & wickedness: two terms that seem to be cut & dry. But are they really? Is each person held to the exact same standard? Is the standard, “One Law For All?” It would seem that way, but maybe it isn't as black and white as it appears? Does that sound… blasphemous? Then you might want to hang around and see what’s in store, in this week’s 5 Minute Torah…
Our parashah begins the final book of the Torah, the book of Deuteronomy. Sometimes the book of Deuteronomy is also known as Mishneh Torah, or the Repetition of Torah, since it contains a recap of many of the major themes included the previous books of the Torah. It also begins by recounting the various events that have taken place among the Children of Israel since the Exodus. A curious statement is made, however, that we must explore:
