Vayechi, וַיְחִי - And He Lived
Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26
Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12
Shabbat: Genesis 50:21–26
50:21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
22 Joseph lived in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived one hundred ten years. 23 Joseph saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation. The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born on Joseph’s knees. 24 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old, and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Today’s Meditation:
In verse 21, Joseph comforts his sons and assures them that he will provide for them. That is how parents have done it for generations. Part of your financial planning should be for your children and grandchildren. Some of us, even in retirement, live paycheck to paycheck. So, what can we do? One option would be to pay off your mortgage and leave your home to your children in your will. If you are young, work hard to buy a house and pay it off in time for your children. Do whatever you can do. It would also be essential to set up a trust for your children’s education. My kids inherited a trust from their grandfather, and it was a super blessing to them and to us as their parents.
Today’s Challenge:
Create a financial plan to care for existing/future children and grandchildren. Do it today or put it on your planner. Do not delay. Set it up as soon as possible, and it will ease your mind. Look at it as a lifelong gift.
This Week’s Haftarah: 1 Kings 2:1-12
2 Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; 3 and keep the instruction of Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself. 4 Then Hashem may establish His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’
5 “Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, even what he did to the two captains of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war on his sash that was around his waist, and in his sandals that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to your wisdom, and don’t let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace. 7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
8 “Behold, there is with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim; but he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Hashem, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ 9 Now therefore don’t hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”
10 David slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city. 11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem. 12 Solomon sat on David, his father’s throne; and his kingdom was firmly established.
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
Not only is financial planning for our children essential, but more importantly, it is teaching them Hashem’s Torah and His ways. We read that Hashem told David that if he did this, then he and his children would prosper in all that he/they did. Isn’t that what we really want for our children, spiritual prosperity? My daily prayer is that my children and grandchildren will serve Hashem. The only way that will happen is through prayer and teaching them Torah. Be intentional in this so that they may prosper.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
Create a plan for teaching your children/grandchildren Torah. Participate in daily readings, such as this one. Additionally, the internet is rich with Torah videos, suitable for both adults and children. Create your plan and execute it. Establish a routine that includes regular readings and study. They say it takes three weeks to make a habit. It’s super important to do this. It will make the difference between a good life and a not-so-good life.
Book of B’reisheet (Genesis)Completed
After completing the reading of a book of the Torah, it is tradition to say, "Chazak, chazak, venitchazek!" which means "Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!" This is a customary expression of encouragement to continue studying the Torah and to return to it in the future. And that is just what we hope you will do.
Now, I would like to invite you to the next book of the Torah, Shemot (Exodus). I encourage you to study it just like you did this devotional. Spend a few minutes every day reading the portion and thinking about the daily meditation and challenge. I assure you that your life will be changed. You will grow closer to Hashem and deepen your faith.
Blessings and shalom, shalom.
Nancy Kujawa
Michigan, USA
