History of Ephraim and Manesseh by Linda Watson

Linda Watson, a history buff from New Orleans, has spent years researching the history and migration of Jacob’s descendants. Her website 12tribehistory.com is brimming with articles and radio archives. You can hear her programs on Hebrew Nation Radio, both live and by podcast. In light of the recent B’ney Yosef Summit and the birth of the nation of Ephraim, it seems appropriate to post Linda’s fascinating findings. As with everything else, do your own research. Books by Steven M. Collins and Yair Davidy are a good place to begin.

Vayechi – And he lived

Torah Portion: Genesis 47:28-50:26

Haftarah: I Kings 2:1-12

New Testament: Hebrews 11:21-22, 13:14

In last week’s lesson, Joseph not only revealed his identity to his brothers; but, more importantly, he revealed his forgiveness for their sins against him. Joseph embraced them and kissed them and urged them to bring their father and their families to Goshen, where Joseph provided all the food that the family needed and “gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded” (Gen. 47:11).