Messianic Lite: Vayechi, “and he lived”

This week’s Torah portion covers Genesis 47:28 to 50:26. When Jacob was nearing his death in Egypt at the age of 147, he called all of his sons together to receive their final blessings. Blessings is probably not the appropriate term here because he also doles out criticisms and prophecies. To modern day, when Jews say a special prayer over each child on Shabbat, they carry over a certain prayer from this formative biblical scene.