Tag: Parashat Vayechi

Torah portion Vayechi (“he lived”) covers Genesis 47:28–50:26.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Beyond the grudge: Choosing compassion over vengeance (Genesis 50; Luke 23; Zechariah 14)

A textured oil palette knife painting in warm earth tones. On the left, Joseph embraces and forgives one of his brothers, who weeps against his chest. On the right, Yeshua hangs on the execution stake, wearing a crown of thorns, with His head bowed in compassion. The two scenes are divided yet unified by swirling strokes of gold and ochre, symbolizing forgiveness across time. Text overlay reads: “Beyond the grudge: Choosing compassion over vengeance (Genesis 50; Luke 23; Zechariah 14).”

This study explores forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation through the stories of Joseph and Yeshua (Jesus). Drawing from Genesis, Zechariah and Luke, we examine how Heaven models humility, letting go of grudges and embracing mercy. Messiah embodies the Yobel — the Jubilee release from debts (and related enslavement). Messiah also fleshes out the scriptural importance of community transformation and the need to welcome back those who have changed. Ultimately, we’re called to forgive as Heaven has forgiven us, modeling divine desire for compassion on the world.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings

‘You are Mine’: Finding belonging in God’s family (Isaiah 43; John 16)

A ChatGPT-generated oil palette knife–style digital painting in 16:9 landscape format. The scene shows a dark, crowded space filled with indistinct figures. Three people in the foreground are illuminated by golden spotlights from above, their faces lifted upward in joy and awe. The man on the left smiles broadly, the woman in the center looks serene, and the bearded man on the right gazes upward with quiet reverence. The rest of the crowd fades into shadow, emphasizing the contrast between darkness and light. The text overlay says, "'You are Mine': Finding belonging in God's family (Isaiah 43; John 16)." A Hallel.info logo is in the lower left corner.

Isaiah 43 and John 16 focus on how God calls us by name and shapes us through life’s challenges, just as He did with Israel in exile. This study explores the importance of trusting the Master’s plan (fulfilled in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), the meaning of true belonging and how prayer transforms us. No matter where we are, God’s redemption and love are personal, purposeful, and ongoing — inviting us to connect with Him and each other.

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Discussions Torah

Shiloh or sham: Was the messianic message of Genesis 49:10 lost in translation?

Shiloh or sham: Was the messianic message of Genesis 49:10 lost in translation?

“Jesus asked [a group of Pharisees] a question: ‘What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?’ They said to Him, ‘The son of David'” (Matthew 22:41–42 NASB95). The scribes and teachers of the Scriptures of Israel knew that the Messiah would descend from through King David thanks to a key phrase in the blessing the Patriarch Ya’akov (Jacob) gave to his son Yehudah (Judah) in the Torah passage וַיְחִי Vayechi (“he lived,” Genesis 47:28–50:26).

But in modern times, scholars have come to doubt that messianic interpretation, and some of the latest Bible translations no longer include “Shiloh” as a key messianic title. This study explores whether that older interpretation and translation is correct, pointing us to Yeshua as Heaven’s “Prince of Peace.”

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Torah readings

Torah reading Vayechi (ויחי): Genesis 47:28–50:26

Studies in Torah

We’ve been mining the account of the life of Yosef in Mitzraim over the past three weeks (see the sections Vayeshev, Miketz and Vayigash) to see foreshadowings of the coming Mashiakh.

These shadows grow even more defined in this week’s Torah portion, וַיְחִי Vayechi (“he lived,” Gen. 47:28–50:26). In it, we see parallels between pharaoh, Yosef and Ya’akov, and the Father, the Son and the people called Yisra’el.

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Discussions Torah

How a righteous man’s dying words changed the world (Genesis 49) 

How a righteous man's dying words changed the world (Genesis 49). Two hands are lit from the top and with both palms facing up and the fingers outstretched, as a sign of giving.

The deathbed blessing–prophecies in the Torah reading ויחי Vayechi (“he lived,” Gen. 47:28–50:26) of Ya’akov (Jacob) to his 12 sons — especially, Yosef (Joseph) who was betrayed by his oldest brothers then reunited with the same but changed men — is a model for how Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and we His followers give our all in mending the broken heart connection between Heaven and Earth.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Lifeline for the world: Blessings of Israel’s 12 tribes, Solomon and the 12 disciples (Genesis 49; 1Kings 2; John 13–17)

Lifeline for the world: Blessings of Israel's 12 tribes, King Solomon and 12 disciples (Genesis 49; 1Kings 2; John 13-17)

One of the key lessons from the blessings of the 12 founders of the tribes of Israel in Torah reading ויחי Vayechi (“he lived,” Gen. 47:28–50:26) is that ancestry doesn’t mean much if each generation doesn’t carry on the legacy handed down. We can learn from these blessings and from the final messages of King David for Solomon (1Kings 2:1–12) and of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) for the Twelve (John 13–17) what Heaven wants us to pass on to our children and to the world.

We all have to choose spiritually and physically (belief in action) to follow what is right to receive the blessings that God has for us to further the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth.

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Discussions Torah

Why character of Israel’s 12 tribes matters for the ‘end of days’ (Genesis 49)

When some learn about the connection between the 12 tribes of Israel and the “end of days,” they can obsess over finding out their modern identities and whether one is part of said tribe. Yet a more important lesson from the blessings for the 12 sons of Israel in the Torah passage ויחי Vayechi (“he lived,” Gen. 47:28–50:26) is the character of each of the peoples that are the sons’ legacy.