Summary
Jacob knows that he is going to die soon, so he calls Joseph to him and formally adopts Joseph’s sons Menasheh and Ephraim, saying that his descendants will bless their offspring to be like Ephraim and Menasheh. Jacob then gives blessings to all of his sons. Jacob dies and his children take him back to the land of Canaan to be buried in the Cave of Machpelah. Eventually Joseph dies after making his brothers promise to bury him in Israel when they finally leave Egypt.
1. This is the first interaction in the Torah between grandchildren and grandparents. Do you have any stories of your grandparents that you can share, either stories you experienced or heard?
1. Why are these two chosen as role models for our children? One reason is that they are the first siblings to have a normal relationship. Another is that they are the first “Jews” born outside the Land of Israel, yet they kept their identity. How do you balance the tension of being Jewish and living in America?
1. Everybody has life lessons they have learned. What is one piece of wisdom you can share?
1. Jacob’s children take a trip to the Land of Israel. If you have been to Israel, where was your favorite place to go?If you have not been to the Land of Israel, what places there would you like to visit?