Legacy and Family (Parshat Vayechi)

Reflections on Core Family Bonds

Photo by niko photos on Unsplash

Week 12: Parshat Vayechi

• Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28 - 50:26

• Haftarah Portion: I Kings 2:1 - 2:12

• Summary: Jacob's blessings for his sons, his death, and Joseph's reassurance to his brothers are recounted. The Haftarah includes David's final words to Solomon, providing instructions for establishing his kingdom, highlighting the significance of blessings and legacy.

• Thematic Connection: Blessings and Legacy

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By Rabbi Laila Takolander (Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary Cohort 2022)

I recently participated in a Chanukah party, where I met all my six siblings. We are a “one-of-a-kind” melting pot as some of us only share one parent and some of us have no blood relations whatsoever. In vocabulary, we can separate this shortcoming of blood relations, using words like half-sister or stepbrother. We deliberately choose not to; we are all sisters and brothers, blood relations or not. But I must admit, some are closer to each other, sometimes like pairs. Although we have tried to be unified, many have scars from childhood - wounds that were never healed - be it words or deeds between siblings or between a parent and a sibling…