Alrighty, the last time we met we were discussing the cross-handed blessing that Jacob handed down to Joseph’s two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. The result of this tradition-defying blessing were the following three things. Thing One: Joseph’s two sons literally became Jacob’s own two sons (as opposed to staying his grandchildren). Thing Two: The birthright […]

Over the next couple of days, we’re going to be talking about Jacob’s cross-handed blessing given to Ephraim and Manasseh who were originally Joseph’s two sons. I say “originally” because one of the consequences of Jacob’s cross-handed blessing was that for all intents and purposes Ephraim and Joseph literally (not metaphorically or figuratively) became Jacob’s two […]

Per their father’s order, Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt to buy grain. However, they don’t recognize Joseph, the one whom they had so cruelly betrayed many years earlier. Joseph still hurt and angry decides to toy around with his brothers. He accuses them of being spies and throws them into prison. However, he’s also keenly […]

Yesterday’s post concluded with Joseph becoming the most powerful ruler in all of Egypt second only to Pharaoh. However, back in the land of Canaan where Joseph’s father Jacob and his clan were still living, things were far from ideal. A famine had struck the land and Jacob’s tribe were down to their very last […]

We continue on with our rapid trek through the Torah. So just a few years after Benjamin is born, Israel’s most favored son Joseph at the age of 17 is betrayed by all 10 of his jealous and angry brothers who throw him into a water well and soon afterwards sell him to a passing […]