Summary of the Parashah
        Jacob lives for 17 years in Egypt before feeling that his death is imminent. He makes Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan. Prior to his death, Jacob formally adopts Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and blesses them. In the blessing, he elevates the younger Ephraim over Manasseh explaining to Joseph that Ephraim would father a larger people than Manasseh.
        On his deathbed, Jacob summons his sons. He describes the character and depicts the future of each one. Jacob directs his sons to bury him in the Cave of Machpelah.
        Following his death, Jacob is embalmed. A great Egyptian procession accompanies Joseph and his brothers to Canaan. When they reach Goren ha-Atad, Joseph observes a seven day mourning period for his father. Joseph and his brothers return to Egypt after the burial. Although the brothers are concerned that Joseph will take revenge upon them now that Jacob is dead, Joseph tells them that they have no cause for concern.
        Genesis closes with Joseph's death at 110 years of age. On his deathbed, he speaks to his brothers requesting that his bones be taken back to the land promised to Abraham, to Issac, and to Jacob.

Questions to Ponder
       ** The parasha begins by telling us that Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for 17 years. The famine was to last just seven years. Why did Jacob and his family remain in Egypt after the famine had ended?
       ** Once again the younger brother is given the blessing over the older one, Ephraim over Manasseh. Is it more than just a coincidence that in almost every generation the blessing is not dependent upon age, wealth, status, etc.? Can we learn something from this which will help us to live better, or at least more satisfying lives? Can we learn to be content with what we have and who we are?
       ** Genesis 49:1 (page 183) states that Jacob told his sons who were gathered around his deathbed,what would befall the Jewish people "in the end of days". Why should Jacob and/or God have wanted to reveal such information to the assembled sons? Is it easier to know what to expect, or be surprised by what the future brings to you? Is it possible that knowing the future might affect ones actions? Positively or negatively? How?
       ** The descriptions and blessings given by Jacob reveal to the reader a group of brothers/tribes who are very different from each other. Their temperments, morality, etc. are very different. Yet they are united and will always be united. What holds these brothers/tribes together? Some would say that the unifying force is purpose and identity, yet it seems to be much more than just that.
       ** Some see the close of the book of Genesis as a bridge between the past and the future as perceived by the eyes of Jacob. All of Genesis had been a dramatic presentation of the role of God in the guidance of our world as well as the special love God had for Abraham and his children. How do the blessings serve as a bridge between the past and the future?
       ** After the death and burial of Jacob, the brothers return to Egypt. They fear that now that Jacob has died, Joseph will seek revenge on them. Why doesn't he? When they express their fear to him, why does he say,"Fear not ! For am I in the place of God?" Why doesn't he have revenge in mind? What can we learn from him and his behavior?

Sources From Our Tradition
JACOB LIVED - Genesis 47:28 page 180 - Of how few people can we repeat a phrase like "Jacob lived"? When a man dies, a death notice appears in the press. In reality, it is a life notice; because but for it the world would never have known that the man had ever been alive. Only he who has been a force for human goodness can be said to have "lived". Joseph H. Hertz

DEATHBED TESTAMENT - The words of a dying man are a sbinding as a deed which is written and delivered. Talmud

AND HE BLESSED JOSEPH - Genesis 48:15 page 182 - The blessing that follows was actually addressed not to Joseph, but only to Joseph's two sons. Why then, does Scripture say that Jacob blessed Joseph?
        In order to show that there is no greater blessing for a father than the wish that his children should take after him and become good people. Hence Jacob's blessing to Manasseh and Ephraim is the greatest blessing Joseph, their father, could possibly have received.

Hatred - The brethren of Joseph could never have done him so much good with their love and favor as they did with their malice and hatred. Thomas Moore

Coffin and Ark - the word for both is ARON (Genesis 50:26 page 191). It is a word used nowhere in the Bible as "coffin". Why? So that in their wanderings through the desert the children of Israel would carry with them both the ARON of Joseph and the ARON containing the Tablets of the Law, to show that in one ARON was a man who fulfilled the commandments contained in the other. The Torah is indeed in the reach of man. Talmud