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(1.) CONNECTING AN ANCIENT AND A MODERN JOSEPH:
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The account of ancient Joseph is truly a chiasmas paralleled by the modern story of Joseph. It is a prefiguring of the Savior’s mission. The lesson comes from Joseph’s life as he is chosen by his father and then rejected by his brothers. In slavery, his identity is really unknown, yet he serves and saves those around him. Later, he serves and saves his brothers before identifying himself

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(2.) HOW BLESSING ARE GIVEN:
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"In the same way that priests lift their hands in blessing, so parents place their hands on the heads of their children when they bless them. (For example, in the Bible, Jacob blessed his grandsons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by placing his hands on their heads.) Placing the hands on another person is symbolic not only of transferring blessing but also of passing on authority." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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(3.) CHOOSING A FAVORITE SON?
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In Judaism, there is a traditional history of Joseph and his future role. This can give "modern Joseph" insight of what the Jews are still anticipating. "Based on the famous story of Joseph and his brothers, the Talmud warns against favoring one child over another . . . Jealousy is considered such a serious evil that it is mentioned in the Ten Commandments where the tenth commandment is an outright prohibition of envy."(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Jealousy and pride are "brothers!"

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(4.) JEWS AWAIT A LATTER-DAY JOSEPH & DAVID:
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 ". . . the Messiah will be a descendant of the House of David and will be preceded by a secondary Messiah, from the House of Joseph . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) The great 12^th century rabbi Moses Maimonides said, in effect, "We are waiting for a Messiah Ben-Joseph, to him will be given the keys of the gathering of Israel, he will restore Temple worship."

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(5.) JOSEPH, SYMBOL OF SAVIOR:
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Ancient Joseph saved his family, and they did not know who he was. Latter-day Joseph is saving his brothers again, (more foreign aid goes to Israel from the U.S.A., the land of Joseph and they don’t know that it is "Joseph." In the meridian of times there was "One" who saved us all - and still most people don’t know it.

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(6.) JEWS HOLD ON TO TEMPLE CUSTOMS:
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Interpreted as a personal shield or protector, Jews wear garments with four markings, the knotted strings, on each corner of the Tallith. When visiting the Western (Wailing) Wall, you will see reminders of ancient temple worship. Men are on one side, women on the other. Head covering is used and robes (Talith) are placed on one shoulder and then another as certain words are recited. There is a sash (or "girdle") tied with the bow on one side. Levites wear aprons. Some Jews still remove their shoes when approaching the Wall. Small pieces of paper are placed between the cracks of the old temple wall stones with names of people who require special blessings. There is a prayer circle (Minyan). Someone is always at hand to assist the person reading or reciting to use correct intonations and to follow proper clothing and recitation procedures.

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(7.) "Nail in a Sure Place:"
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An old Rabbi described old nails protruding slightly out of the cracks in the Western (Wailing) Wall as the "sure nails" fastening people sins so that they could leave their burdens and get on with life. Isaiah speaks clearly about this in five powerful verses. (Isaiah 22:21-25)