This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayechi, presents a significant moment in Jacob’s life as he prepares for his passing. Jacob’s heartfelt request to his son Joseph and later to all his sons reflects his deep faith and his connection to God’s covenant and the promised land. Through Jacob’s actions, we are reminded of the unshakable truth of God’s Word and the importance of staying rooted in His promises.

The Torah begins this portion by stating:

And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt for seventeen years; so the length of Jacob’s life was 147 years. When the time for Israel to die drew near, he called his son Joseph and said to him, ‘Please, if I have found favor in your sight, place your hand under my thigh now and deal with me in kindness and faithfulness: please do not bury me in Egypt, but when I lie down with my fathers, you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.’ And he said, ‘I will do as you have said.’ And he said, ‘Swear to me.’ So he swore to him. Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.
Genesis 47:28-31  

Jacob’s request was clear: he did not want to be buried in Egypt, a place of temporary dwelling, but rather with his fathers in the land of Canaan. Later, in Genesis 49:29-31, Jacob (Israel) reiterates this to all his sons:  

Then he commanded them and said to them, ‘I am about to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is opposite Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah, there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and there I buried Leah.’

The fulfillment of Jacob’s final request is recorded in Genesis 50:13:

For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah opposite Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial site from Ephron the Hittite.

Jacob’s desire to be buried with his ancestors in the land of Canaan was not just about family loyalty. It was an affirmation of God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—a covenant that included the land as an eternal inheritance for their descendants. The cave of Machpelah in Hebron stands as a powerful symbol of this promise!

Today, the cave of Machpelah remains a historical and spiritual landmark, yet it is also a place of division. The site, located in Hebron—often referred to as a Palestinian city—is split into two sections: one for Jews and one for Muslims. It is a somber reality that the tomb of Isaac, one of the patriarchs revered in Jewish tradition, lies within the Arab-controlled portion.

This situation reflects a broader issue: the distortion or denial of truth. When the Bible and God’s Word are removed from the equation, confusion takes hold. The land of Israel, the covenant, and the promises God made to His people are truths rooted in Scripture, yet they are often overshadowed by political and ideological narratives.

In the Haftarah portion, we read another example of the connection between God, His Word, and His land. In I Kings 2:10, it says:

Then David lay down with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David.

Both Jacob’s burial in Machpelah and David’s burial in Jerusalem are reminders of the enduring bond between God, His people, and His land. These burial sites serve as physical markers of God’s faithfulness and the truth of His covenant.

In our day, when truth is often twisted to fit personal or societal agendas, it is vital for us to hold fast to the Word of God. The foundation of our faith must align with Scripture, not with fleeting opinions or conveniences. God’s Word is eternal, unchanging, and trustworthy.

As we reflect on Jacob’s unwavering faith and his trust in God’s promises, let us be inspired to live in alignment with His Word. Let us stand firm in the truth and remember the unbreakable bond between God, His covenant, and His people.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran