Genesis

בייה

Dearest Ones (Genesis 37 – 38) are uniquely woven together with fortunate and unfortunate twists and turns of Joseph and Judah’s lives. (Genesis 37.2) begins by saying, ‘These are the generations of Jacob,’ then immediately discusses Joseph and continues into the following chapter discussing Judah. We could just as easily translate תֹּלְדוֹת Toh Lih Dot as ‘These are the consequences of Jacob’ because that is precisely what Ha Torah shares with us. Ha Torah is informing us that what we say and do is relevant. When we botch, bungle and blunder, it may not seem like our mistakes, and poor choices are a big deal. Yet, Ha Torah teaches us that our indiscretions have consequences! Life can be messy at times. We need God to help us iron out our issues and put our lives in order.

Descendants of Joseph and Judah are essential participants at the end of days Scripture. In (Genesis 49.1) Jacob says to his sons, ‘Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the הַיָּמִים Ha Yaw Mem – meaning the last years.’ Some translate הַיָּמִים Ha Yaw Mem as the last days. For the most part, Ha Torah measures individuals in years. 

Abraham lived for 175 years.

 Isaac lived for 180 years.

 Jacob lived for 147 years.

 Joseph lived for 110 years.

Total = 612

The Gematria for בְּרִית Bih Ree Tee – meaning ‘covenant’ is 612. The covenant passes to each patriarch. Together the years of their life total 612, representing The Covenant God Made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We, B’nai Yisroel, are the people of the covenant. Within The Torah are the terms of God’s covenant with us. Every Jewish male is supposed to enter the covenant on the eighth day from birth with a kosher circumcision, i.e., Brit Milah. The Brit Milah is a cut agreement between God and us. Circumcision of our flesh is the sign that we have entered into an agreement with God. In most instances, we did not choose to enter into the covenant with God. Entering the covenant was a choice made for us by our parents. Brit Milah is a Mitzvot, a Command, an Observance that may not happen for one reason or another. If one did not receive Brit Milah, it is their responsibility to Observe the Command of Circumcision. As we mature, we take over the responsibilities of making choices for ourselves and our children.

The Torah informs us that Jacob’s Shepherd’s staff was being passed to Joseph. Genesis 37.3) says, ‘Israel loved Joseph more than all his children.’ It was evident that the fine wool long-sleeved embroidered tunic of many colors annunciated Joseph’s wisdom, leadership, and designation as heir to Israel. (Genesis 37.4) says, ‘And when [Joseph’s] brothers saw that their father loved [Joseph] more than all his brothers, they hated [Joseph], and could not 612 – דַּבְּרוֹ לְשָׁלֹם speak peaceably to him.’ Ha Torah is Mystically revealing a special relationship between the 612 / בְּרִית Bih Ree Tee – referencing the 612 / ‘Covenant’ The Lord made with Abraham in (Genesis 15.18), and the 612 / דַּבְּרוֹ לְשָׁלֹם Dah Vih Roh – Lih Shaw Lohm in (Genesis 37.3) would pass through Joseph instead of one of them. Joseph’s brothers were angry with their father’s revelation to them. Israel did not speak to Joseph’s brothers individually or in a group about Joseph, the firstborn son of Rachel, being selected to receive the Blessing of the Firstborn instead of one of his older brothers, i.e., Reuben – Leah’s firstborn, Naphtali – Bilhah’s first born, or Gad – Zilpah’s firstborn. Joseph’s brothers were concerned because Ha Torah inform’s us that ‘Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac [the firstborn of Sarah instead of his older brother, Ishmael – Hagar’s firstborn. Abraham gave gifts to Keturah’s sons and sent them away from Isaac (Genesis 21.10 and 25.5). Our Sages teach that Joseph’s brothers were concerned that Israel would disinherit them and give all he had to Joseph. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), p 1619 Issac disinherited Esau, the older brother of Jacob, the firstborn, in favor of Jacob.

As a youth, Joseph chose to share Lashon hora, i.e., evil reports about his brothers, with his father. Joseph also wanted to reveal his prophetic dreams to his father and brothers. Sometimes revelations are only for us.Judah also made some poor choices. (Genesis 38) informs us that Judah separated from his brothers, moved away, and became estranged from the community. He went down and married a Canaanite woman and had children with her. Ruben moves his father’s bed. Dina goes out. When we are young, we make choices that impact us for the rest of our lives. Our choices do not change the fact that we are people of the covenant. God has chosen to use us even though our lives are messy. God’s will ultimately prevail in the end regardless of us. Remember, we are of the branch of His planting. We are His handiwork.

(Isaiah 60.21-22) says, Your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. The least one shall become a thousand, and the smallest one a strong nation; I the Lord will hasten it in its time.’

In (Genesis 38), we become acquainted with Judah’s tough luck, heartaches, and painful life experiences. It may seem like Judah took the wrong turn at every fork in the road. Yet, The Lord God Caused everything to turn out correctly. His Canaanite wife and two sons die. Judah ends up marrying Tamar, the granddaughter of Noah. They have twins that are transmigration of his sons Er and Onan. The desired path for Judah was to marry and have children that the Messiah will descend from.

Joseph was kidnapped and sold into slavery by his brothers. He was falsely accused of adultery and placed in prison. Things were not looking good for Joseph. Yet the Lord God Worked all the details out; Joseph was taken from prison and promoted to the second-highest position in Egypt. Joseph ends up being the Viceroy of Egypt. Pharaoh gave him Ashnot as a wife. She was in Egypt for many years, waiting for this specific time to become Joseph’s wife. She was the baby born from Shechem’s rape of Dinah, her mother. She was not aborted. God Worked it out for good. She was adopted and raised by an officer of Pharaoh’s Cabinet.

In each of these instances, things seemed to start in the wrong direction and progressively worsened. The point is that even though we get ourselves in pretty nasty situations, The Lord can help us iron out every situation and bring beauty to our mess. So even though we may mess things up pretty bad, The Lord can work everything out for the good of all. So hope, beauty, love, and joy exist for each of us.

May The Lord Bless us in our daily walk, and may we stay within Torah’s guidelines. May we bring peace and healing to our world. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.

Good Sabbath!

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk, ‘George’

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