The text tells us that Jacob was grievously ill, and it’s no wonder. Think about all he’d been through! Remember his years of relentless toil while working for Laban? Day and night, he labored. And what about his epic battles? The wrestling match with the angel (Genesis 32:24-30), and the tense confrontation with his brother Esau (Genesis 33:1-16) – both victories, yes, but at a great cost. These events, as recounted in the Torah and elaborated upon in texts like Legends of the Jews, had taken their toll, leaving him vulnerable to the ravages of sickness.
During Jacob's time in Egypt, who do you think was by his side, offering comfort and care? It was Asenath, Joseph's wife. She devoted herself to nursing him, a constant presence in his final years. Can you picture her, watching over him, noticing the subtle signs that his time was drawing near?
And then, she takes action. Asenath understands something profound about the power of blessing. "I have heard," she tells Joseph, "that one who is blessed by a righteous man is as though he had been blessed by the Shekinah." The Shekinah (שְׁכִינָה) – the divine presence, the manifestation of God's glory. To receive a blessing from a truly righteous individual is to connect, in some way, with that divine essence.
So, Asenath implores Joseph to bring his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to Jacob. She understands the weight of a patriarch's blessing, the potential for it to shape their destinies. She knows that a blessing from Jacob is a gift beyond measure. What will that blessing be, and how will it impact the future? That's a story for another time, but it all starts with this act of loving care and profound understanding from Asenath.