Daily Chumash

Jacob's sons all died. Jacob's descendants in Egypt, however, were "fruitful and swarmed and increased and became very very strong." A new Pharaoh arose, and he resolved to find a solution to the "Israelite problem." He proposed to afflict the Israelites and impose slave labor upon them, thus preventing them from multiplying. He implemented the plan, and the Israelites were forced to construct sto...

Jacob blesses Benjamin. He instructs the tribes regarding the place of his burial. Jacob passes. He is mourned, embalmed, and buried in Hebron as per his instructions. Jacob ensures his brothers that he intends to treat them kindly, dispelling their fears of retribution.

Jacob continues blessing his children. In today's portion, the tribes of Gad, Asher, Naphtali, and Joseph are blessed.

Joseph tries to switch Jacob's hands, but Jacob indicates that the mix-up was intentional. He then begins to plan for his passing.

Jacob switches his hands, indicating that the stronger blessing falls on Ephraim's head, although Menasheh was in fact older. Jacob blessed the two with the famous "Hamalach Hagoel" blessing.

Joseph is told that his father Jacob is ailing, and visits him, with his two sons Ephraim and Menasheh. Jacob extends tribal honors to them and offers to bless them.

In advance of his arrival in Egypt, Jacob sent Judah to prepare a yeshiva – a place where he and his descendants could devote themselves to constant study of the Torah. Joseph and Jacob are reunited. Joseph introduces his family to Pharaoh, who grants them permission to dwell in Goshen.

The Torah lists and counts Jacob’s family – children and grandchildren – noting that they totaled 70 people. The 70th and youngest in this census was Levi’s daughter Yocheved, whom we will meet later as the mother of Moses.

Joseph then told his brothers to return to the Land of Israel and bring their father Jacob to Egypt. He arranged for the family to settle in the luxurious province of Goshen, which was also removed from the negative spiritual influence of the idolatrous Egyptians.

Judah’s display of self-sacrifice for Benjamin convinced Joseph that his brothers had truly repented of their former animosity toward him. He, therefore, revealed his true identity to them. They were understandably afraid that he would take revenge on them, but Joseph assured them that he viewed the entire episode as Divine providence and did not hold them responsible.

Hearing that Joseph intended to retain Benjamin as his slave, Judah stepped forward to argue with Joseph. Although he spoke respectfully, he told Joseph that he would not tolerate this injustice to his brother – as well as to his father Jacob, who would not survive the loss of the only remaining son of his wife Rachel.

The brothers arrive in Egypt with Benjamin. They are invited to Joseph's home to dine. Joseph seats Benjamin at his side and blesses him.

Joseph deals harshly with his brothers, as they do not recognize him. he arrests Shimon before their eyes, and notifies them that upon their return they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin. At first, Jacob refuses to allow this. After Judah takes responsibility for Benjamin, Jacob acquiesces, giving the brothers his blessing.

At the age of 30, Joseph is proclaimed viceroy of Egypt. He devises a plan to preserve the bounty of grain so that, come famine, the country would have stored sufficiently.

Pharaoh relates his dream to Joseph, who in turn interprets the dream to Pharaoh's satisfaction. The dreams are a message of prediction; Seven years of plenty are imminent and will be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh recognizes Joseph's G-dly power and wisdom.

Pharaoh has two strange dreams. None of his wizards were able to give him a sufficient interpretation. The butler remembers Joseph's accurate interpretation of his dream and mentions this to Pharaoh, who then orders to have Joseph appear before him. Joseph is subsequently freed from the dungeon.

As Joseph approaches, the brothers grab him, rip off his colored coat, and throw him into an empty cistern pit. In Reuben's absence, they sell Joseph to a caravan of traveling merchants. He is subsequently sold as a slave in Egypt. The brothers dip Joseph's coat into the blood of a slaughtered kid goat. Jacob mourns his son's apparent death.

Joseph becomes chief of staff for Potifar, his Egyptian master. He is highly trusted.

Potifar's wife attempts to seduce Joseph. When he does not relent and escapes her grip, she turns him in, stating that he attempted rape. Joseph is incarcerated.

The brothers leave to tend to the flocks. Joseph visits them on his father's instructions, and the brothers plan on killing him. Reuben intervenes, advising that he be thrown into a pit instead.

Joseph is the beloved son of Jacob. He is envied by his brothers to the point of hatred.

Rachel gives birth to Binyamin and passes during childbirth. She is buried on the way to Efrat. Yitzchak passes away. The children of Eisav are enumerated.

Dina ventures out to encounter the girls of the land, and is seduced and raped by Shchem, who claims he wants to marry her. The brothers retaliated with a bloody scheme involving circumcision and a surprise attack.

Yaakov splits his camp in two, ready for battle. Eisav runs to him and they embrace.

Yaakov sends gifts of livestock to Eisav. He encounters an angel with whom he has an altercation and prevails.