Jacob's Days Draw Near and the Shadow of a Passing Bird

"And the days of Israel drew near to die" (Genesis 47:29). This is what Scripture said: "For we are strangers before You, and sojourners, as all our fathers; our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no hope" (1 Chronicles 29:15). And not like the shadow of a wall, and not like the shadow of a tree, but like the shadow of a bird, as it is said: "His days are as a passing shadow" (Psalms 144:4). "And there is no hope" — there is no one who can hope that he will not die. All know that they are destined to die. Abraham said: "And I go childless" (Genesis 15:2). Isaac said: "Before I die" (Genesis 27:4). Jacob said: "And I will lie with my fathers" (Genesis 47:30). When? At the time he drew near to die, "And the days of Israel drew near to die."