VaYechi (וַיְחִי)
Genesis 47:28 – 50:26
Sixth Aliyah
49:27
‘Benjamin is a vicious wolf. He eats a portion in the morning, and divides his prey in the evening.’
‘Benjamin is a vicious wolf. He eats a portion in the morning, and divides his prey in the evening.’
Binyamin ze’ev yitraf baboker yochal ad vela’erev yechalek shalal.
בִּנְיָמִין זְאֵב יִטְרָף, בַּבֹּקֶר יֹאכַל עַד; וְלָעֶרֶב, יְחַלֵּק שָׁלָל.
49:28
All these are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each one his own special blessing.
All these are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each one his own special blessing.
Kol-eleh shivtey Yisra’el shneym asar vezot asher-diber lahem avihem vayevarech otam ish asher kevirchato berach otam.
כָּל-אֵלֶּה שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר; וְזֹאת אֲשֶׁר-דִּבֶּר לָהֶם אֲבִיהֶם, וַיְבָרֶךְ אוֹתָם–אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר כְּבִרְכָתוֹ, בֵּרַךְ אֹתָם.
49:29
[Jacob] then gave [his sons] his final instructions. ‘I am going to join my people [in death],’ he said. ‘Bring me to my fathers, to be buried in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
[Jacob] then gave [his sons] his final instructions. ‘I am going to join my people [in death],’ he said. ‘Bring me to my fathers, to be buried in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite.
Vayetsav otam vayomer alehem ani ne’esaf el-ami kivru oti el-avotay el-hamearah asher bisdeh Efron haChiti.
וַיְצַו אוֹתָם, וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם אֲנִי נֶאֱסָף אֶל-עַמִּי–קִבְרוּ אֹתִי, אֶל-אֲבֹתָי: אֶל-הַמְּעָרָה–אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׂדֵה, עֶפְרוֹן הַחִתִּי.
49:30
[This is] the cave in Makhpelah Field, bordering Mamre, in the land of Canaan. Abraham bought it along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as burial property.
[This is] the cave in Makhpelah Field, bordering Mamre, in the land of Canaan. Abraham bought it along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as burial property.
Bamearah asher bisedeh haMachpelah asher-al-peney Mamre be’erets Kena’an asher kanah Avraham et-hasadeh me’et Efron haChiti la’achuzat kaver.
בַּמְּעָרָה אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׂדֵה הַמַּכְפֵּלָה, אֲשֶׁר עַל-פְּנֵי-מַמְרֵא–בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן: אֲשֶׁר קָנָה אַבְרָהָם אֶת-הַשָּׂדֶה, מֵאֵת עֶפְרֹן הַחִתִּי–לַאֲחֻזַּת-קָבֶר.
49:31
This is where Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried; this is where Isaac and his wife Rebecca are buried; and this is where I buried Leah.
This is where Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried; this is where Isaac and his wife Rebecca are buried; and this is where I buried Leah.
Shamah kaveru et-Avraham ve’et Sarah ishto shamah kaveru et-Yitschak ve’et Rivkah ishto veshamah kavarti et-Leah.
שָׁמָּה קָבְרוּ אֶת-אַבְרָהָם, וְאֵת שָׂרָה אִשְׁתּוֹ, שָׁמָּה קָבְרוּ אֶת-יִצְחָק, וְאֵת רִבְקָה אִשְׁתּוֹ; וְשָׁמָּה קָבַרְתִּי, אֶת-לֵאָה.
49:32
The purchase of the field and its cave from the children of Heth [is still recognized].’
The purchase of the field and its cave from the children of Heth [is still recognized].’
Mikneh hasadeh vehamearah asher-bo me’et beney Chet.
מִקְנֵה הַשָּׂדֶה וְהַמְּעָרָה אֲשֶׁר-בּוֹ, מֵאֵת בְּנֵי-חֵת.
49:33
Jacob thus concluded his instructions to his sons. He drew his feet back onto the bed, breathed his last, and was brought back to his people.
Jacob thus concluded his instructions to his sons. He drew his feet back onto the bed, breathed his last, and was brought back to his people.
Vayechal Ya’akov letsavot et-banav vaye’esof raglav el-hamitah vayigva vaye’asef el-amav.
וַיְכַל יַעֲקֹב לְצַוֹּת אֶת-בָּנָיו, וַיֶּאֱסֹף רַגְלָיו אֶל-הַמִּטָּה; וַיִּגְוַע, וַיֵּאָסֶף אֶל-עַמָּיו.
50:1
Joseph fell on his father’s face. He wept there and kissed [his father].
Joseph fell on his father’s face. He wept there and kissed [his father].
Vayipol Yosef al-peney aviv vayevk alav vayishak-lo.
וַיִּפֹּל יוֹסֵף, עַל-פְּנֵי אָבִיו; וַיֵּבְךְּ עָלָיו, וַיִּשַּׁק-לוֹ.
50:2
Joseph then ordered his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father. The physicians thus embalmed Israel.
Joseph then ordered his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father. The physicians thus embalmed Israel.
Vayetsav Yosef et-avadav et-harofim lachanot et-aviv vayachantu harof’im et-Yisra’el.
וַיְצַו יוֹסֵף אֶת-עֲבָדָיו אֶת-הָרֹפְאִים, לַחֲנֹט אֶת-אָבִיו; וַיַּחַנְטוּ הָרֹפְאִים, אֶת-יִשְׂרָאֵל.
50:3
It took forty days, since that was the time required for embalming. Egypt mourned [Jacob] for seventy days.
It took forty days, since that was the time required for embalming. Egypt mourned [Jacob] for seventy days.
Vayimle’u-lo arba’im yom ki ken yimle’u yemey hachanutim vayivku oto Mitsrayim shiv’im yom.
וַיִּמְלְאוּ-לוֹ אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם, כִּי כֵּן יִמְלְאוּ יְמֵי הַחֲנֻטִים; וַיִּבְכּוּ אֹתוֹ מִצְרַיִם, שִׁבְעִים יוֹם.
50:4
When the period of mourning of Jacob was over, Joseph addressed Pharaoh’s court and said, ‘If you would do me a favor, give the following personal message to Pharaoh:
When the period of mourning of Jacob was over, Joseph addressed Pharaoh’s court and said, ‘If you would do me a favor, give the following personal message to Pharaoh:
Vaya’avru yemey vechito vayedaber Yosef el-beyt Par’oh lemor im-na matsati chen be’eyneychem daberu-na be’ozney Far’oh lemor.
וַיַּעַבְרוּ, יְמֵי בְכִיתוֹ, וַיְדַבֵּר יוֹסֵף, אֶל-בֵּית פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר: אִם-נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן, בְּעֵינֵיכֶם–דַּבְּרוּ-נָא, בְּאָזְנֵי פַרְעֹה לֵאמֹר.
50:5
‘My father bound me by an oath and he declared, ‘I am dying. You must bury me in the grave that I prepared for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now, if you allow me, I will head north and bury my father. I will return.’ ‘
‘My father bound me by an oath and he declared, ‘I am dying. You must bury me in the grave that I prepared for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now, if you allow me, I will head north and bury my father. I will return.’ ‘
Avi hishbi’ani lemor hineh anochi met bekivri asher kariti li be’erets Kena’an shamah tikbereni ve’atah e’eleh-na ve’ekberah et-avi ve’ashuvah.
אָבִי הִשְׁבִּיעַנִי לֵאמֹר, הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מֵת–בְּקִבְרִי אֲשֶׁר כָּרִיתִי לִי בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, שָׁמָּה תִּקְבְּרֵנִי; וְעַתָּה, אֶעֱלֶה-נָּא וְאֶקְבְּרָה אֶת-אָבִי–וְאָשׁוּבָה.
50:6
‘Go bury your father,’ said Pharaoh, ‘just as he had you swear.’
‘Go bury your father,’ said Pharaoh, ‘just as he had you swear.’
Vayomer Par’oh aleh ukvor et-avicha ka’asher hishbi’echa.
וַיֹּאמֶר, פַּרְעֹה: עֲלֵה וּקְבֹר אֶת-אָבִיךָ, כַּאֲשֶׁר הִשְׁבִּיעֶךָ.
50:7
Joseph headed north to bury his father, and with him went all of Pharaoh’s courtiers who were his palace elders, as well as all the [other] elders of Egypt.
Joseph headed north to bury his father, and with him went all of Pharaoh’s courtiers who were his palace elders, as well as all the [other] elders of Egypt.
Vaya’al Yosef likbor et-aviv vaya’alu ito kol-avdey Far’oh zikney veyto vechol-zikney erets-Mitsrayim.
וַיַּעַל יוֹסֵף, לִקְבֹּר אֶת-אָבִיו; וַיַּעֲלוּ אִתּוֹ כָּל-עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה, זִקְנֵי בֵיתוֹ, וְכֹל, זִקְנֵי אֶרֶץ-מִצְרָיִם.
50:8
All of Joseph’s household, his brothers, and his father’s family [also went]. All they left behind in Goshen were their small children, their sheep and their cattle.
All of Joseph’s household, his brothers, and his father’s family [also went]. All they left behind in Goshen were their small children, their sheep and their cattle.
Vechol beyt Yosef ve’echav uveyt aviv rak tapam vetsonam uvekaram azvu be’erets Goshen.
וְכֹל בֵּית יוֹסֵף, וְאֶחָיו וּבֵית אָבִיו: רַק, טַפָּם וְצֹאנָם וּבְקָרָם–עָזְבוּ, בְּאֶרֶץ גֹּשֶׁן.
50:9
A chariot brigade and horsemen also went with them. It was a very imposing retinue.
A chariot brigade and horsemen also went with them. It was a very imposing retinue.
Vaya’al imo gam-rechev gam-parashim vayehi hamachaneh kaved me’od.
וַיַּעַל עִמּוֹ, גַּם-רֶכֶב גַּם-פָּרָשִׁים; וַיְהִי הַמַּחֲנֶה, כָּבֵד מְאֹד.
50:10
They came to Bramble Barn (Goren HaAtad) on the bank of the Jordan, and there they conducted a great, imposing funeral. [Joseph] observed a seven day mourning period for his father.
They came to Bramble Barn (Goren HaAtad) on the bank of the Jordan, and there they conducted a great, imposing funeral. [Joseph] observed a seven day mourning period for his father.
Vayavo’u ad-Goren ha’Atad asher be’ever haYarden vayispedu sham misped gadol vechaved me’od vaya’as le’aviv evel shiv’at yamim.
וַיָּבֹאוּ עַד-גֹּרֶן הָאָטָד, אֲשֶׁר בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, וַיִּסְפְּדוּ-שָׁם, מִסְפֵּד גָּדוֹל וְכָבֵד מְאֹד; וַיַּעַשׂ לְאָבִיו אֵבֶל, שִׁבְעַת יָמִים.
50:11
When the Canaanites living in the area saw the mourning in Bramble Barn, they said, ‘Egypt is in deep mourning here.’ The place on the bank of the Jordan was therefore called Egypt’s Mourning (Avel Mitzraim).
When the Canaanites living in the area saw the mourning in Bramble Barn, they said, ‘Egypt is in deep mourning here.’ The place on the bank of the Jordan was therefore called Egypt’s Mourning (Avel Mitzraim).
Vayar yoshev ha’arets haKna’ani et-ha’evel beGoren ha’Atad vayomru evel-kaved zeh le-Mitsrayim al-ken kara shemah avel Mitsrayim asher be’ever haYarden.
וַיַּרְא יוֹשֵׁב הָאָרֶץ הַכְּנַעֲנִי אֶת-הָאֵבֶל, בְּגֹרֶן הָאָטָד, וַיֹּאמְרוּ, אֵבֶל-כָּבֵד זֶה לְמִצְרָיִם; עַל-כֵּן קָרָא שְׁמָהּ, אָבֵל מִצְרַיִם, אֲשֶׁר, בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן.
50:12
[Jacob’s] sons did as he had instructed them.
[Jacob’s] sons did as he had instructed them.
Vaya’asu vanav lo ken ka’asher tsivam.
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בָנָיו, לוֹ–כֵּן, כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּם.
50:13
His sons carried him to Canaan, and they buried him in the cave of Makhpelah Field, bordering Mamre. [This is] the field that Abraham bought for burial property from Ephron the Hittite.
His sons carried him to Canaan, and they buried him in the cave of Makhpelah Field, bordering Mamre. [This is] the field that Abraham bought for burial property from Ephron the Hittite.
Vayis’u oto vanav artsah Kena’an vayikberu oto bimearat sdeh haMachpelah asher kanah Avraham et-hasadeh la’achuzat-kever me’et Efron haChiti al-peney Mamre.
וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֹתוֹ בָנָיו, אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן, וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ, בִּמְעָרַת שְׂדֵה הַמַּכְפֵּלָה: אֲשֶׁר קָנָה אַבְרָהָם אֶת-הַשָּׂדֶה לַאֲחֻזַּת-קֶבֶר, מֵאֵת עֶפְרֹן הַחִתִּי–עַל-פְּנֵי מַמְרֵא.
50:14
After he buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt along with his brothers and all those who went with him to his father’s burial.
After he buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt along with his brothers and all those who went with him to his father’s burial.
Vayashov Yosef Mitsraymah hu ve’echav vechol-ha’olim ito likbor et-aviv acharey kovro et-aviv.
וַיָּשָׁב יוֹסֵף מִצְרַיְמָה הוּא וְאֶחָיו, וְכָל-הָעֹלִים אִתּוֹ לִקְבֹּר אֶת-אָבִיו, אַחֲרֵי, קָבְרוֹ אֶת-אָבִיו.
50:15
Joseph’s brothers began to realize [the implications] of their father’s death. ‘What if Joseph is still holding a grudge against us?’ they said. ‘He is likely to pay us back for all the evil we did him.’
Joseph’s brothers began to realize [the implications] of their father’s death. ‘What if Joseph is still holding a grudge against us?’ they said. ‘He is likely to pay us back for all the evil we did him.’
Vayir’u achey-Yosef ki-met avihem vayomru lu yistemenu Yosef vehashev yashiv lanu et kol-hara’ah asher gamalnu oto.
וַיִּרְאוּ אֲחֵי-יוֹסֵף, כִּי-מֵת אֲבִיהֶם, וַיֹּאמְרוּ, לוּ יִשְׂטְמֵנוּ יוֹסֵף; וְהָשֵׁב יָשִׁיב, לָנוּ, אֵת כָּל-הָרָעָה, אֲשֶׁר גָּמַלְנוּ אֹתוֹ.
50:16
They instructed [messengers] to tell Joseph: ‘Before he died, your father gave us final instructions. He said,
They instructed [messengers] to tell Joseph: ‘Before he died, your father gave us final instructions. He said,
Vayetsavu el-Yosef lemor avicha tsivah lifney moto lemor.
וַיְצַוּוּ, אֶל-יוֹסֵף לֵאמֹר: אָבִיךָ צִוָּה, לִפְנֵי מוֹתוֹ לֵאמֹר.
50:17
‘This is what you must say to Joseph: Forgive the spiteful deed and the sin your brothers committed when they did evil to you.’ Now forgive the spiteful deed that [we], the servants of your father’s God, have done.’ As [the messengers] spoke to him, Joseph wept.
‘This is what you must say to Joseph: Forgive the spiteful deed and the sin your brothers committed when they did evil to you.’ Now forgive the spiteful deed that [we], the servants of your father’s God, have done.’ As [the messengers] spoke to him, Joseph wept.
Koh-tomru le-Yosef ana sa na pesha acheycha vechatatam ki-ra’ah gemalucha ve’atah sa na lefesha avdey Elohey avicha vayevk Yosef bedabram elav.
כֹּה-תֹאמְרוּ לְיוֹסֵף, אָנָּא שָׂא נָא פֶּשַׁע אַחֶיךָ וְחַטָּאתָם כִּי-רָעָה גְמָלוּךָ, וְעַתָּה שָׂא נָא, לְפֶשַׁע עַבְדֵי אֱלֹהֵי אָבִיךָ; וַיֵּבְךְּ יוֹסֵף, בְּדַבְּרָם אֵלָיו.
50:18
His brothers then came and threw themselves at his feet. ‘Here!’ they said, ‘We are your slaves!’
His brothers then came and threw themselves at his feet. ‘Here!’ they said, ‘We are your slaves!’
Vayelchu gam-echav vayiplu lefanav vayomeru hinenu lecha la’avadim.
וַיֵּלְכוּ, גַּם-אֶחָיו, וַיִּפְּלוּ, לְפָנָיו; וַיֹּאמְרוּ, הִנֶּנּוּ לְךָ לַעֲבָדִים.
50:19
‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Joseph to them. ‘Shall I then take God’s place?
‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Joseph to them. ‘Shall I then take God’s place?
Vayomer alehem Yosef al-tira’u ki hatachat Elohim ani.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם יוֹסֵף, אַל-תִּירָאוּ: כִּי הֲתַחַת אֱלֹהִים, אָנִי.
50:20
You might have meant to do me harm [but] God made it come out good. [He made] it come out as it actually did, where the life of a great nation has been preserved.
You might have meant to do me harm [but] God made it come out good. [He made] it come out as it actually did, where the life of a great nation has been preserved.
Ve’atem chashavtem alay ra’ah Elohim chashavah letovah lema’an asoh kayom hazeh lehachayot am-rav.
וְאַתֶּם, חֲשַׁבְתֶּם עָלַי רָעָה; אֱלֹהִים, חֲשָׁבָהּ לְטֹבָה, לְמַעַן עֲשֹׂה כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה, לְהַחֲיֹת עַם-רָב.