Torah Portion of the Week

    Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion

    • Torah Portion Vayechi STBM Messer

    Torah

    Genesis 47:28–50:26

    Next Reading:

    January 3, 2026

    14 Tevet, 5786

    Haftarah

    1 Kings 2:1–12

    וַיְחִי יַעֲקֹב בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה וַיְהִי יְמֵי־יַעֲקֹב שְׁנֵי חַיָּיו שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וְאַרְבָּעִים וּמְאַת שָׁנָה׃

    Vai-chi Ya-a-kov b’e-retz Mitz-ra-yim sh’va es-reh sha-nah vai-hi y’mei–Ya-a-kov sh’nei cha-yav she-va sha-nim v’ar-ba-im um-at sha-nah.

    And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; so the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were a hundred forty and seven years.

    Genesis 47:28

    Vayechi means “and he lived.”  Before his passing, Jacob gathered his twelve sons together to speak a blessing over each of them—a blessing which would help them to reach greatness (see Gen. 49:1–28).  He didn’t give each of them the same blessing, and these blessings were not what one might consider to be “typical.”  Choosing his words very carefully, he revealed to each of them their negative and positive traits, giving them insight about how to deal with their individual lives, qualities, and abilities.  This enabled them to maximize their potential and become the greatest individuals they could possibly be.

    It is a Jewish tradition for parents to bless their children on Erev Shabbat (Friday night) with the following blessing:

    For boys, begin: May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.

    For girls, begin: May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.

    For boys and girls, finish: May God bless you and guard you.  May God shine His face toward you and be gracious to you.  May God show you kindness and grant you peace.

    The Power to Bless

    Jacob’s blessing over each of his sons teaches us a powerful lesson.  Every person at every moment needs a blessing, and the power of bestowing a blessing is something that everyone has been given.  The words you speak are the vehicle for the blessing.  Your words are very important and carry a great deal of weight.

    Difficulties and troubles can be eased by right words.  If someone is in a difficult situation, how can you help them?  Reset the breaker and restore the power by bestowing a blessing.  When you “bless” someone, you are essentially asking the Almighty to increase their health, wealth, happiness, or whatever else they may need.

    If someone is ill, bless them and comfort them by saying, “May God grant you health and healing.”

    If someone is experiencing financial difficulties, say to them, “May God grant you the finances you need.”

    If someone is starting a new business, smile and say, “May God grant you success.”

    If someone is feeling depressed, encourage them by saying, “May God grant you comfort, joy, hope, and peace.”

    With thoughtfulness and awareness, choose your words carefully.  Say the words of blessing with sincerity, a loving heart, and a warm smile.  For your words are what give life to anything that is around you.  Your words have the ability to educate, inspire, and magnify those around you.  Right words are nourishment for the soul.  You have the ability to encourage others where they are unable to encourage themselves.

    Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek—Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!

    A Glance of Hebrew | Vayechi STBM Messer

    Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words

    a [a] as in arm
    ai [ai] as in Thailand
    e [e] as in red
    ei [ei] as in eight
    i [i] as in ski
    o [o] as in score
    oi [oi] as in oil
    u [u] as in rule
    ui [ui] as in gluing
    ch/kh [ch] as in the Scottish loch
    g [g] as in good (not as in giant)
    tz [ts] as in hats
    short “eh” or “uh” sound

    The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.