Why Jacob Prayed Over His Sons Before They Went to Egypt

Rabbi Yose ben Halafta says: There are times that are fit for prayer, as it is stated, "But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time" (Psalms 69:14). When is "an acceptable time"? At the hour when the community prays. Therefore a person must rise early for prayer, for you have nothing greater than prayer. For behold, it was decreed against Moses that he would not enter the land, and that he would not see it; yet because he was abundant in prayer, "the Lord showed him the whole land," and so forth (Deuteronomy 34:1). And likewise Hezekiah prayed and annulled the decree. And so too Jacob, when he sent his sons to Egypt, prayed over them: "And may God Almighty grant you mercy" (Genesis 43:14).