Ancient Egypt Subscription Box 4: Vayechi

In Vayechi, the final parsha in the Book of Genesis, Yaakov gathers his sons around him to bestow blessings upon them and foretell their futures before his death. He blesses each son individually, providing insights into their characters and destinies. Yaakov’s final words to his sons convey both blessings and prophecies, shaping the future of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The parsha concludes with Yaakov’s passing, his embalming, and Yosef’s commitment to fulfilling his father's wish of being laid to rest in Canaan. Let’s examine the process and ideas regarding embalming and funerary customs in ancient Egypt and understand how this relates to the embalming of Yaakov by Yosef.