📘 Parsha Insights – Rashi Commentary Q&A on Rishon
Bereshit 47:28–31
- Why is Parshas Vayechi “closed” (not starting a new paragraph)?
Rashi explains that when Yaakov passed away, the eyes and hearts of the Israelites became “closed,” troubled by the signs of the coming Egyptian bondage. Another reason: Yaakov wished to reveal the end of the exile, but it was concealed from him.
- What is learned from the phrase “the time drew near for Israel to die”?
Rashi notes that whenever this phrase is used, the person did not reach the age of their fathers. For example, Yitzchak lived 180 years, but Yaakov lived only 147.
- Why did Yaakov call specifically for Yosef to fulfill his burial request?
Because Yosef had the power to carry out his request, being a ruler in Egypt.
- What is “genuine kindness” (chesed v’emet) according to Rashi?
A kindness done for the dead is true kindness, since there is no expectation of repayment.
- Why did Yaakov not want to be buried in Egypt?
Rashi gives three reasons:
- The soil would eventually become lice, which would swarm under his body.
- The dead outside Israel will be resurrected only after rolling through underground channels to the Land of Israel.
- So the Egyptians would not make him an object of idol-worship.
- What does “I will lie down with my fathers” mean?
Rashi says it refers to dying, not burial, as shown by similar phrases elsewhere in Tanach.
- Why did Israel bow at the head of the bed?
Rashi offers two explanations:
- He turned toward the Divine Presence, which rests above the head of a sick person.
- He bowed in gratitude that his “bed” (family) was complete and righteous.
Bereshit 48:1–9
- Who told Yosef that his father was ill, and what does Rashi say about this?
Rashi says it was either a messenger (the verse is abbreviated) or Ephraim, who studied Torah with Yaakov and informed Yosef when Yaakov became ill.
- Why did Yosef bring his sons to Yaakov?
So that Yaakov would bless them before his death.
- Why did Yaakov strengthen himself and sit up in bed when Yosef arrived?
Rashi explains that Yaakov honored Yosef’s royal status by sitting up, teaching us to honor royalty.
- What did G‑d promise Yaakov at Luz, according to Rashi?
That a “community of peoples” would descend from him, meaning one tribe would split into two—Ephraim and Menashe.
- What status did Yaakov give to Ephraim and Menashe?
He counted them as his own sons, equal to Reuvein and Shimon, each receiving a tribal portion in Israel.
- What about any children born to Yosef after Ephraim and Menashe?
They would not be counted as separate tribes but included under Ephraim and Menashe.
- Why did Yaakov mention Rachel’s burial on the road?
To explain why he was asking Yosef to bury him in Canaan, though he did not do so for Rachel. He buried her there by G‑d’s command, so she could pray for her descendants during exile.
- Why did Yaakov ask “Who are these?” when seeing Yosef’s sons?
Rashi says the Divine Presence left him because he foresaw wicked descendants from them. He asked, “Who are these?” as if to say, “Are they worthy of blessing?”
- How did Yosef respond to Yaakov’s question about his sons?
He showed Yaakov his marriage contract to prove their legitimacy and prayed, after which the Divine Presence returned to Yaakov.