The Echoes Bible Story (Part 2: The Challenge)

Published: Tue, 12/30/25

Updated: Sat, 01/03/26

"Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness... “I will do as you say,” he said."

Genesis 47:28-30

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Hi friend,

This coming Shabbat's Torah portion, read on Saturday, January 3rd, is Parashat Vayechi. In this week’s Torah reading, Vayechi, discusses Jacob’s final years. Shortly before his passing, Jacob blesses Joseph’s children as well as his own. A massive funeral procession escorts Jacob’s body to Canaan. The reading, and the Book of Genesis, concludes with Joseph’s death.

The Echoes Bible Story (Part 2) reveals the moment a bold challenge turned a theory into undeniable evidence—read more below.

Join us in exploring the Weekly Bible Chapter: A Light for All by Avidan Freedman with Rabbi Avraham Norin, and let’s learn and reflect together!

Please enjoy this teaching of our beloved Root Source teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of blessed memory, about this week's Torah portion, Vayehi, and share your thoughts with us!

Last week, our popular Root Source teacher Rabbi Gedalia Meyer talked about Vayigash. Watch it below.

Check below to hear what Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker have to share.

We sign off with a nice comment and a beautiful photo of Garden of Gethsamane, Jerusalem .

Shalom,

Gidon Ariel and Bob O’Dell
Root Source Founders

Parashat Vayechi

Jacob lived his last seventeen years in Egypt. When Jacob sensed that his days were numbered he summoned Joseph and asked him to promise that he would bury him in Israel. Joseph acceded to the request. When Jacob then fell ill, Joseph visited him, accompanied by his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob conferred upon Ephraim and Manasseh the status of tribal progenitors, a status hitherto enjoyed only by Jacob’s sons. Joseph asked his father to bless Ephraim and Manasseh.

Read more here

The Echoes Bible Story (Part 2: The Challenge)

Was the pattern discovered by David Pitcher truly meaningful, or had he simply stumbled upon some odd coincidence? With that lingering question in his mind, he walked through the doors of his Bible classroom the following week and took his seat.

Read more here

Weekly Bible Chapter:

A Light for All by Avidan Freedman

No symbol of the Mishkan is more present in current Israeli consciousness than the proud Menorah, official symbol of the state of Israel. It was July 15, 1948. The Israeli army was fighting a battle on three fronts which had just turned, the Security Council was endorsing a proposal to impose an immediate cease fire, and, among other things on their mind, the provisional government was discussing what the symbol of the Jewish state, whose chances of survival now seemed fair, ought to be.

Read more here

Parashat Vayehi: The Limits of Prophecy: Jacob, Faith, and the Inexpressible Future

Jacob’s attempt to reveal the “end of days” to his sons highlights a fundamental truth: some things are beyond human understanding and cannot be fully expressed. Though Jacob’s words remain prophetic, he is stopped from disclosing the ultimate future when the divine presence, the Shekhina, departs. This is not due to any fault in Jacob or his sons but reflects a universal experience—human beings can only glimpse the distant future, never fully comprehend or articulate it.

Read more here

Vayigash:
Rabbi Gedalia Meyer's Weekly Torah Study

As second in command over Egypt, Yosef could have easily sent a message to his father Yaakov, telling him he was alive. Yet he chose not to. What caused him to change his mind and send for his father to come down to Egypt?

Watch here

Conversations:

Gidon Ariel and Richard Booker

- September 8, 2025

In this conversation, Gidon and Richard discuss the Verse from Hebrews 11:6, “God rewards those who diligently seek him,” and especially the first part of that verse, “Without faith it is impossible to please God,” and how that compares and contrasts to the passage in Mishna Pirkei Avot (Chapters of the Fathers), chapter 3 mishna 10: “those who are pleasing to others are pleasing to God, and those who are not pleasing to others are not pleasing to God.”

Watch here!

Comments

We get so many comments!
Here is one from Sister Georjean on blog post How did The Echoes Bible HAPPEN?:

"I am continually fascinated by the extent of wisdom to be gleaned from Scripture and the wisdom of those who bring it to life for us all!!!! Thank you for again enriching my life with God’s Holy Word!!!"

Garden of Gethsemane, Israel

Enjoy this photo of the Garden of Gethsemane, Israel by Stacey Franco.

Blessings and Shalom,
Bob and Gidon

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