Vayechi

“Did Jacob then conquer Shechem with sword and bow? (Gn 48.22) But “my sword” is his prayer, and “my bow” is his supplication”. (Mechilta Rashi) “Why is prayer like a bow? Just like a bow, the more a person draws the bowstring to himself, the further the arrow flies, so it is with prayer; the deeper one delves into one’s own heart, the higher one’s prayer ascends”.~The Rebbe of Kotzk

Avinu Malkeinu,

As we read the last Torah portion in Genesis, we see Jacob bestow a blessing on his sons. He offers them hope for the future, encouragement, and plants a seed in their hearts that will grow into something good. Some blessings include correction, given out of love and care. Help us accept your correction as a loving Father, knowing it helps us grow and keeps us from harm. Teach us to correct those we love without causing shame. Help us speak truth with love and kindness.

Levi and Simeon-cursed be their anger! The curse does not land on Jacob’s elder sons, but on their anger, so that Jacob corrected their behavior without covering them in shame. Father, help us not to carry instruments of violence, the violence of slander, injustice, and murder, but teach us how to carry instruments of peace.

As Judah missed the mark in many ways, he also learned to take accountability and defend his loved ones, thereby earning the inheritance of the firstborn. Help us be like Judah, accepting the consequences of accountability and making choices that show care for others, not ones based on self-protection.

Zebulun is blessed with success in the sea and in business. Help us accept this blessing too, trusting that you will bless the work of our hands. Issachar is compared to a donkey resting between boundaries. Help us carry our own burdens and help others with theirs, like a strong donkey that is not crushed by its load. In this way, we fulfill the law of the Messiah. (Galatians 6:2: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of [Messiah].)

Teach us how to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You and others (Micah 6:8). Help us to be driven by justice like Dan, who is a serpent by the way that bites the horse’s heel, using the cunning wisdom of a serpent to weaken the mighty who devour the weak. Maybe this is teaching us about the mighty warrior Samson, from the tribe of Dan, who was a serpent that attacked the heels of the Philistines, a people hellbent on destroying the Israelites. Either way, let us learn to defend the vulnerable around us and not join bullies in doing injustice.

Fill our vessels with anointing oil, the resilience to endure struggle, the strength to choose life, the oil that provides light and healing, just like the blessing of Asher. Jacob blessed Asher with an abundance of olives, so much that he dips his foot in oil (Dt 33.24). I understand this to mean that his paths are anointed. Anoint our paths, too, Father.

May we be like Naphtali, who was likened to a deer running free, delivering beautiful words. Bless us with the ability to skip with joy in freedom and speak words of life to those around us, words full of love, beauty, and songs of victory.

Bless us with the ability to be ravenous wolves, as Jacob called Benjamin. Not wolves in sheep’s clothing, hypocrites and insincere, but ravenous wolves who devour and plunder those who seek to do evil, like Mordechai and Esther, who hail from the tribe of Benjamin and who plundered the house of Haman (Esther 8:1).

Pour out the blessing of Joseph on each one of us. May we be fruitful, with the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. May we have roots by the river of life, well watered, able to pour onto others the excess of our resources. May our branches run past the borders, spreading holy space beyond just the space You have carved out for us. May we abide in strength during times of suffering, like Joseph. Pour out the blessings from above and below onto our children and us.

As our days draw near to death, gather us with our loved ones, as you did for Jacob. Thank you for ending his days in peace, as Your word tells us in Proverbs 3, “[Wisdom’s] ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and those who cling to her will be blessed.”

Comfort those who grieve. Surround them with love. Fill their hearts with hope. May they find the joy that co-exists with grief.

Thank you for turning all the evil intent of Joseph’s brothers into a blessing for Joseph and for the known world. Please turn the evil motivations, thoughts, and actions of others into blessings for us. Please help us to trust that You are more powerful than hate, greed, violence, and deceit. You are not shaken by the power of the darkness inside the hearts of humans. You are good and will not be moved. You are love, and You will not change. You are Peace and will not be disregulated. You are sovereign and mightier than every human being gathered together in rebellion. I trust You.

Thank you for the blessings that You pour onto and speak over us all day, every day. The sunrise and sunset, the song of birds, gas in our cars, food in our fridges, healthy bodies and minds, freedom from addiction, rest, family, friends, laughter, children, the seasons, the ocean, rain, and rainbows. There is not enough time for me to list my blessings, but the greatest of them all is Yeshua, the Prince of Peace, Shiloh, the Anointed One, who gives us the blessing of new beginnings. We hope for your salvation, O G-d (Gn 49:10&18).

Love,

Brianna