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Parasha VaYechi - 2025 - Rabbi Yehudah

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Let’s talk Mashiach!

Last week’s Parasha informed us that Yoseph had ascended to second in authority to the Pharoah. He then eventually revealed himself to his brothers and brought them and Jacob his father to Egypt.  “And he lived” (Yaakov) for seventeen years in Egypt.  At the end of Yaakov’s time in Egypt while on his death bed, he calls his sons together to bestow a beracha (blessing) on their keppies (Yiddish for heads:) These blessings were prophetic words that embodied many underlying messages. In doing so Yaakov identified how each son had either previously fallen short or prevailed in serving G-d.  And ultimately how each son would succeed in G-d’s plan of redemption. Each son’s tribe would prophetically strengthen Israel.  In addition, we find embodied in the blessing’s cryptic descriptions the first and second visitations of our Lord Yeshua!  Yeshua explains In Romans 8:28 “Furthermore, we know that G-d causes everything to work together for the good of those who love G-d and are called in accordance with his purpose;” These words are a resounding theme in this parashah.

 

Genesis 49:1, And Yaakov (Follower/Supplanter/Grabber of heal) summoned up his strength and called his sons to his side. He said, “Gather yourselves together, so that I may tell you asher-yik’ra etchem what you will encounter in the ha’yamiym, latter days (years).  

 

Israel was put back on the map on May 14, 1948, after 2000 years of exile. The prophetic clock has been ticking louder and louder ever since.  A deeper look at these prophetic utterances will allow us and the Nation of Israel a way  to discern the days that we live in. First let’s will look at who it is that is  bestowing these blessings on his sons? Yaakov initially followed his brother Esav out of the womb. Once out of the womb, Jacob continued to follow, but not his brother but that of HaShem instead. His twin brother Esav followed his earthly passions as a hunter. Yaakov followed his passion of knowing the G-d of his fathers.  As believers who follow Yeshua, how do we occupy our time?  Who or what are we following? Bereshit 25:27 tells us that Jacob dwelled in tents.  Not a tent in the singular, but tents in plural.  Bereshit 25:27…”Ya‘akov was a quiet man who stayed in the tents.”  The sages concluded that Yaakov went from tent to tent and studied with various teachers. Why is this important? When Jacob blessed his sons, he passed on the blessings that had fallen on his father’s Abraham and Isaac.  Yaakov learned of his forefathers’ relationships with G-d. When we study Torah we study G-d. We learn of his likes and dislikes. What pleases him and displeases him. We learn of His character. The bible is basically an autobiography of Aveinu (our Father). We get to know G-d. This is how we foster and build a relationship. And how we connect with our past.  

 

In blessing his sons Yaakov was essentially petitioning G-d to bless his sons in the same manner that He had blessed Abraham, Isaac and himself. He was solidifying their covenant relationship with G-d. Therefore, when ask G-d to bless our kindala, (Yiddish for children:) like Ephraim and Manasseh we are in affect asking G-d to bless them as He did to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. To have His angel protect and multiply them; The G-d before whom my father’s Abraham and Isaac walked, the G-d who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and may my name live on in them, and the names of my father’s Abraham and Isaac; and may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. (Genesis 48:15–16)

 

Notice the Hebrew phrase “in the name of“ is alluded to as Yaakov request that his own name live on in them as well as Abrahams and Isaac’s. Likewise, Yeshua came in his Father’s name.   John 5:43, “I have come in my Father’s name…”                                             


As Jacob prayed that his name, and his father’s names “live in” his sons and protect them (Genesis 48:15-16), Yeshua prayed that his Father’s name which was in him protect and be given to his disciples. 

 

John 17:11… Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are.

 

But it doesn’t stop there! Yeshua prayed for G-d to extend His Name and blessings not only to his 70 disciples, but also to us!

 

Yochanan 17:20-22 ,“ “I pray not on behalf of these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their message, 21 that they all may be one. Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 The glory that You have given to Me I have given to them, that they may be one just as We are one.”

                                                                                       

Yaakov knew that his days were drawing to an end.  He mustered up his strength and called his sons together to pronounce prophetic words that were inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh. Specific to each of them he wanted the brothers to understand that their futures are intrinsically linked. This is the concept of “achdut,” which is the theme of our upcoming conference in Colorado. Where we will be coming before the Father as did the Patriarch’s in unity, compassion, and in brotherly love.  The Hebrew word achdut implies that we come together as one unit or body. Even though we may have different thoughts and ideas, we come together and function as one unit. Similar to the cogs of a well-oiled machine.  All harmoniously functioning together as one. Thus did the Israelites as they accepted G-d’s covenant at Mt. Sinai, as well as did the believers in the upper room when they acted as one accord. “Achdut!”

 

Now that I have plugged our conference, let’s continue with the drash:)  As one suffers, we all suffer.  My mother used say “when you cut, I bleed.”  When one of the brothers succeeded, all of the brothers succeeded.  All of their sufferings will ultimately culminate into success. This concept is seen throughout this Parashah and the Torah.  Interchangeably we see in the text the names of Israel and of Jacob used.  Sometimes even in the same breath!

 

Bereshit 49:2 Gather together and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to your father Israel.

 

The name Jacob is used to ascertain a time of struggle or trouble.  As did Jacob struggle with G-d’s angel. (Bereshit 32:22-29)  Then Jacob’s name  was changed to Israel and he overcome his struggles with G-d. Therefore, in Bereshit 49:2 we can discern that “Jacob” gathered his sons to tell them that they will have their struggles, but ultimately “Israel” tells them that they will unify and overcome! 

 

Yeshua’s first visitation

In Bereshit 49:1 Ya’akov gathers his sons to tell them of the b’chariyt ha-mayim, the end of days. Concerning the phrase “b’chariyt ha-mayim” the orthodox commentator Sforno writes: “At the end of the period allocated to life on earth as we know it. Yaakov speaks of the arrival of the Messiah which will signify the end of existence of the nations that oppose G-d and the kingdom of G-d on earth… Yaakov speaks of the time frame he has in mind as the one when Shiloh will arrive, the one to whom nations will pay homage.”

 

Sforno determines “Shiloh”, to means “Tranquility, rest, belonging”, and assigns “Shiloh” to be a name for the future King Messiah of Israel.  Rashi agrees, and explains that “the End Days” refers to the Messianic age. He goes on to say, in accordance with the Midrash, that “Jacob wished to tell his children when Messiah would come”.  According to the Midrashic explanation, the Hebrew “Shiloh” שִׁילֹה is a combination of the words Shai (Gift) and Lo (to him). This refers to the Messiah to whom gifts will be brought.  Matthew 2:1-12 Tells us that the Magi brought gifts to Yeshua! In the future gifts will be brought to Mashiach in a time of peace and safety. Which will be reminiscent of King Solomons reign. 

 

2 Chronicles 9:23-24, All the kings on earth sought to have an audience with Shlomo, in order to hear his wisdom, which G-d had put in his heart. 24 Each one brought his present — articles of silver, articles of gold, clothing, armor, spices, horses and mules; and this continued year after year.

 

Genesis 49 tells us that Mashiach will arrive on a donkey.  Genesis 49:11-12, Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:  12  His eyes made dull with wine, and his teeth (sharpness)white (pale) from milk. 

 

The Mashiach was to come riding a donkey! “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Tziyon (Parched Land)! Shout, daughter of Yerushalayim (Flood of Peace)!  Now, your King is coming to you, a righteous one bringing salvation. He is lowly, riding on a donkey - on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zechariah 9:9

 

“Go into the village before you. Right away, you’ll find a donkey tied up and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me.” – Yeshua [Matthew 21:2] 

 

Binding his foal (a young donkey in this case) to the vine is an expression that denotes the time of plenty. When the grape vines are so abundant and large that you can tie your donkey to it. When the Malchut HaShamayim arrives, this will occur. He washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes refers to the blood shed of Yeshua.  Yeshua's eyes were dulled and bloodshot as he despaired to drink from the cup that had been given to him from his father.

 

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” – Luke 22:42

 

The juice of the grape is called blood by the Apocryphal writings of Sirach: "The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.'' – Sirach 39:26

 

"He stretched out his hand to the cup, and poured of the blood of the grape, he poured out at the foot of the altar a sweet-smelling savor unto the most high King of all.'' – Sirach 50:15

 

Genesis 49:2, Gather yourselves together, v’shemu- and hear, receive, obey, you sons of Yaakov (Follower); v’shemu - and hear, receive, and be in obedience to Yisrael (Overcomes in G-d) your father.   Genesis 49:2 repeats “v’shemu- and hear, receive, obey,” twice?  Akeidat Yitzchak asks, “Why does Jacob seem to commence with the blessing twice…?”  When something thing is repeated in the Torah it tells the reader that this something is firmly established and is certain. Thus, the repetition of Jacob’s call to gather and the use of the name Yaakov (one that struggles) indicates that Jacob will struggle, and Yisrael (one that overcomes) will overcome. Thus, Jacob’s sons were cryptically told that they will also overcome in G-d, through Mashiach. Overcomers in God’s redemptive plan for Israel and for humanity. Jacob’s words are prophetic blessing and outlined an intimate relationship with Jacob. (Yaakov Brown)

 

Genesis 49:9, A lion’s cub Yehudah (Praise): from the prey, my son, you are aliyat gone up: he bent down and stretched himself out as a lion, and as a mature lion; who shall rouse him up?

 

Yeshua was bent down as he went to the grave. But the grave could not hold him and he rose up in victory. He went down as the Lamb but rose up as a Lion! Ultimately Judah’s victory refers to the King Messiah Who, having been born of Judah, will defeat ha-Satan and take hold of the keys of mot (death) she'ol (holding place of the dead), triumphing in resurrected glory and redeeming Israel and the nations.

 

Genesis 49:10, The scepter shall not depart from Yehudah (Praise), nor a lawgiver (Scribe, governor) from between his feet (euphemism for reproduction), until Shiloh (Messiah) comes; and to Him (Shiloh) the yik’hat gathering, cleansing, purging of the peoples.

 

This passage is saying that in the future, when the Messiah (Shiloh) comes (who will be brought gifts), the kings of Israel’s will no longer be descended from Judah. Mashiach will reign instead. Therefore, the Messiah had to have come in the first century CE as the scepter did depart from Judah at the destruction of the Beit Mikdash in 70 CE.  Why did the scepter not depart from the first Temple one might ask?  Because the lineage from Yehudah as King, Scribe, or lawgiver continued through Zerubbabel.  In 539 BCE, after the 70 years of exile in Babylon the Persian king Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah and rebuild the Second Temple.  King Jehoiachin's grandson, Zerubbabel, was a governor and lawgiver.  He led the rebuilding of the Temple. Nehemiah led the rebuilding of the wall, and Ezra implemented the restoration of Hebrew and Worship to Zion and Judaism.  This fulfilled the requirement of Genesis 49:10.  A lawgiver from the tribe of Judah would continue the scepter of Judah.   The lineage from Yehudah  had to remain until the Messiah came. But what then? Bereshit 49:10 tells us that the scepter will remain with Judah “until” Shiloh (Messiah) comes. That implies that the line of Judah may not continue once Mashiach is ruling of Israel, and over the world! 

 

Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his shofar; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever!”

 

HaSatan still rules this world until Yeshua returns and puts sin and death under his feet.

 

John 12:30-31;  Yeshua answered, “This bat-kol did not come for my sake but for yours. 31 Now is the time for this world to be judged, now the ruler of this world will be expelled.

 

Acts 3:19-21; “Therefore, repent and turn to G-d, so that your sins may be erased; 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’s presence; and he may send the Messiah appointed in advance for you, that is, Yeshua. 21 He has to remain in heaven until the time comes for restoring everything, as G-d said long ago, when he spoke through the holy prophets.

 

1 Corinthians 15:23-25; But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming; 24 then the culmination, when he hands over the Kingdom to G-d the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power. 25 For he has to rule until he puts all his enemies under his feet.

 

The scepter departs from Judah! 

Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Yehudah (Praise), nor a lawgiver (Scribe, governor) from between his feet (euphemism for reproduction), until Shiloh (Messiah) comes; “Until the Messiah comes to Whom the kingdom belongs”- Onkelos

 

When Yeshua came the first time He came in the earthly form, as Mashiach from the line of Judah. His birth mom (Meriam), and his father Joseph through adoption were both descended from Judah. But can an adopted son have the inheritance of the family line? In Judaism the answer is Yes. This is clearly established in this week’s Parashah as Yaakov adopts his grandson Ephraim as his own son.  Ephraim’s birth father was Joseph, yet his mother was Aseneth, the daughter of an Egyptian Priest.  In addition to adopting Ephraim as a son and heir, Jacob made Ephraim his first born!  The house of Joesph received a double portion of inheritance through Ephraim and Manasseh! The double portion was to go to the first born (Deuteronomy 21:15-17), that being Reuven.  Reuven lost his inheritance as firstborn when he defiled his father’s bed. (Gen 35:22).  Therefore, we see that Yeshua was the rightful heir to the line of Judah through his earthly parents.  If Yeshua was our rightful King through Judah, but how was also our High Priest? The priesthood was to come through the sons of Aaron, which Yeshua was not.  Yeshua was our high priest in heaven descended from Melchizedek.  

 

Psalm 110:4; “ Adonai has sworn it, and he will never retract — “You are a cohen forever, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”

 

Hebrews 7:17; For it is stated, “You are a cohen FOREVER, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”

 

This was the transition. Yeshua came the first time as the King from Judah. When he did and was crucified, then the temple was destroyed the scepter departed from Judah. The Lineage ceased. Bereshit 49:10 states that the scepter would remain with Judah “until” Shiloh (Mashiach) appeared. Did Yeshua transfer the Kingship from Judah to Malik-Tzedek?  A king of righteousness? It appears this way.  Hebrews 7:15 It becomes even clearer if a “different kind of cohen,” one like Malki-Tzedek, arises, 16 one who became a cohen not by virtue of a rule in the Torah concerning physical descent, but by virtue of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is stated,

 

“You are a cohen FOREVER, to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”

 

Actually, Yeshua came and restored the Kingship to Judah first. From the time of the Maccabees the kingship transferred to Hasmonean descent. After the Maccabees revolt the people decided to make the Hasmoneans who the Maccabees were descended from Kings. This was against Torah which required that Kings comes through the line of Judah.   Then King Herod the great came along who was not of the line of Judah nor of Hasmonean descent. In fear of being considered an illegitimate King (which he was), King Herod the great married Mariame who was of Hasmonean lineage. He thought that this would secure his Kingship. Herod later had Mariame, and his two sons killed as they threatened to dispute his legal right to the throne.  

 

This is why the sign on Yeshua’s stake declared him as King of the Jews. The people wanted a Jewish King. Herod was descended from an 



Idumaean convert to Judaism. Idumaean’s were Edomites and descended from Esau. As an illegitimate Kings took over the 2nd Temple Yeshua was the rightful heir to the throne and restored the Judean lineage. 

 

On his return he the Kingship will be from a higher order. The order of King Maliki-Tzedek.

Shalom shalom.

 

Genesis 49:18 I have waited for Your salvation (Yeshua), O HaShem (YHVH: Mercy). 

 

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