Genesis

Dear Friends, it is good for us to get into a position where we can help others. That is the direction Joseph followed from an early age. It took a while to get there, but he made it. (Genesis 44) emphasizes certain words and phrases like וַיְצַו אֶת־אֲשֶׁר עַל־בֵּיתוֹ (Genesis 44.1) says, ‘And he commanded the steward of his house.’ See: Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman, The Artscroll Tanach Series – Bereishis Vol. I (b) (Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. 3rd Impression, 1989), pp 1871 -1874

The Lord God Chose Joseph to be in charge. יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהִים – The Lord God Gave Joseph visions with the exegesis, brilliance, wisdom, communication proficiency in all 70 languages, directions, and tools to be a great leader, i.e., a savior for the people of the world beginning in 2236 FC – From Creation. There is a special Spiritual Revelation that comes from Jewish Mysticism that is enunciated by וַיְצַו – Vah Yih Tzah, the first Hebrew Word in Genesis 44. וַיְצַו – Vah Yih Tzah – means – ‘And He / Joseph Commanded.’ The revelation is tied together by the first three Words in (Genesis 2.16). וַיְצַו יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהִים – meaning – ‘The Lord God Commanded.’ (Genesis 2.16) is the foundation for The Seven Laws given by The Lord God. They are the prelude to Genesis 18.19, where the Lord Testifies regarding Abraham. ‘I know him, he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.’

In (Genesis 18.19) we read Abraham commanded. Jacob commanded many times. See: (Genesis 32.5; 18; 20). Rebekah commanded. Genesis 27.8) says, ‘my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from there two good kids of the goats; and I will make them into savory food for your father, such as he loves; And you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, and that he may bless you before his death.‘ And Joseph commanded. See: (Genesis 42.25; 44.1; 50.2; 12). Joseph had to be firmly established as the Leader chosen by God to command Egypt, his children, relatives, and 69 other nations. As a great leader, Joseph had to be certain his ten half-brothers were no longer resentful, hateful, or jealous of the sons of Rachel. (Genesis 44.27) shares Jacob’s comments to Judah, ‘You know that my wife [Rachel] bore me two sons.’ That was a statement to his sons. This is what we see in the mystical elucidation of the Word, וַיְצַו Vah Yih Tzah – ‘And he [Joseph] commanded. The Gematria of וַיְצַו is 112. (Genesis 44.14) says, ‘And Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there; and they fell before him on the ground. [Then Judah begins making a case for their penitent lives.] Judah said, What shall we say to my Lord? What shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my Lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.’

(Genesis 18.19) says, כִּי יְדַעְתִּיו ‘For I know him, לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר for the sake of [testifying] that יְצַוֶּה אֶת־בָּנָיו he will completely command his children/grandchildren וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ אַחֲרָיו and his household after him, וְשָׁמְרוּ דֶּרֶךְ יְהֹוָה and they shall keep the way of the Lord, לַעֲשׂוֹת צְדָקָה to do justice וּמִשְׁפָּטand judgment; לְמַעַן הָבִיא for the sake of bringing יְהוָֹה עַל־אַבְרָהָם the [Word of the] Lord upon Abraham אֵת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר עָלָיו entirely all that He has spoken about him.’

Dear ones Esau, a descendant of Abraham, did not keep the Way of the Lord to do justice and [righteous] judgment. Whereas Jacob and Joseph did. (Psalms 46) reminds us, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains shake with their swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holiest dwelling place of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her before morning. The nations rage, kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, the desolations He has made in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations and exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

We should endeavor to follow HaShem God in the same way that Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph did. With all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength. We should daily place all our care and all our trust in the One who cares for us.

May The Lord Bless us daily as we try to be dedicated, loyal followers of Ha Torah. May we be successful in our efforts to help others and bring peace and healing into our world. May our home and Sabbath Table be a blessed and kosher gathering place like it was for Joseph, Benjamin, and their ten brothers. Blessed be every Sabbath. Let’s focus our Sabbath Studies on (Genesis 2.4,5,7,8,9,15,16).

Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk, aka George Belk

Author of many books on Gematria,

Founder and Director of www.JewishPath.Org