Jacob in Egypt: An Immigration Saga
Rabbi David Hartley Mark
י ב א ד ב א י מ ר
א My Father Was a Wandering Aramean
“ My father was a wandering Aramean ….” – Deut. 26:5 & Pesach Hagadah
Scene: The Royal Egyptian Immigration Bureau during the reign of Pharaoh Seti I( 1291-1278 BCE). Enter Jacob the Patriarch, his wives Leah, Bilha and Zilpa, and most of his children and grandchildren, with Reuven, his firstborn, by his side. A Sentry confronts them.
Sentry: Hold! This is His Majesty’ s Immigration Office and cannot be entered by just anyone. Give me some identification, Hebrew. Do you have an appointment? Take a number at the desk.
( Jacob, confused, goes through the pockets of his robe and cloak. Leah steps forward to assist him.)
Leah: Sir Sentry, I am Jacob’ s wife and can give you whatever information you seek. We are applying to become Egyptian subjects.
Sentry: What is your home country?( Clerk # 1 steps up and listens in)
Leah: We are former inhabitants of Canaan. We left there because the famine sent by our God was oppressive.
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