Parashat Vayeshev is the ninth weekly Torah portion in the book of Genesis (Bereshit), covering Genesis 37:1–40:23. This section unfolds a significant chapter in the lives of Jacob and his twelve sons, with a focus on Joseph.
The narrative commences with Joseph’s vivid dreams, foretelling his future leadership role over his brothers. The disclosure of these dreams exacerbates the already strained relationship among the siblings. Their envy peaks when Jacob gifts Joseph a distinctive coat, symbolizing favoritism.
The tension escalates when Joseph is sent by his father to check on his brothers tending the flocks. Seizing the opportunity, they conspire to harm him, eventually casting him into a pit. Intent on minimizing their guilt, they sell Joseph to a passing caravan.
Meanwhile, the brothers deceive Jacob by presenting Joseph’s bloodied coat, leading him to believe that a wild animal has killed his favored son. The grief-stricken patriarch mourns deeply.
In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potipar, an officer of Pharaoh, where he rises to a position of trust. However, his integrity is tested when Potipar’s wife falsely accuses him of wrongdoing. Despite Joseph’s unjust imprisonment, he remains steadfast, interpreting dreams for fellow inmates.
Parashat Vayeshev navigates themes of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and the consequences of deceit. Joseph’s journey from favored son to a slave in a foreign land underscores the unpredictable nature of life’s twists and turns. The parashah also introduces the motif of dreams as a significant element in the unfolding drama, setting the stage for Joseph’s eventual rise to prominence.
This portion prompts reflection on the complexities of family dynamics, the impact of favoritism, and the resilience required to navigate life’s challenges. As the narrative unfolds, it lays the groundwork for Joseph’s transformative journey and the eventual reunion with his brothers in Egypt, offering profound insights into the intricate fabric of human relationships.
Parasha Vayeshev
Aspect | Description |
---|---|
Title | Parashat Vayeshev |
Book | Genesis (Bereshit) |
Main Characters | Joseph, Jacob (Israel), Judah, Reuben, Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, Pharaoh |
Key Events | 1. Joseph’s dreams and his brothers’ jealousy 2. Joseph’s sale into slavery 3. Judah and Tamar’s story 4. Joseph in Potiphar’s house 5. Joseph’s imprisonment and interpretation of dreams |
Joseph’s Coat | The infamous “coat of many colors” or “coat of long sleeves” that Jacob gave to Joseph, symbolizing favoritism and leading to his brothers’ resentment. |
Joseph’s Dreams | Joseph’s dreams of sheaves of wheat and celestial bodies bowing down to him, which intensify the animosity of his brothers towards him. |
Sale into Slavery | Joseph is sold by his brothers to a passing caravan of Ishmaelites/Midianites, eventually ending up in Egypt. |
Judah and Tamar | Judah’s interaction with his daughter-in-law Tamar, leading to the birth of Perez and Zerah. This narrative is interwoven with Joseph’s story. |
Potiphar’s House | Joseph serves in Potiphar’s house and faces false accusations from Potiphar’s wife, resulting in his imprisonment. |
Imprisonment and Dreams | Joseph interprets the dreams of fellow prisoners, foreshadowing his future role in interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. |
Themes | 1. Jealousy and Betrayal: Joseph’s brothers’ jealousy leads to his sale. 2. Divine Providence: God’s plan unfolds through Joseph’s experiences. 3. Teshuvah (Repentance): Judah’s transformation and redemption. |
Significance | Parashat Vayeshev sets the stage for Joseph’s journey from slavery to a position of power in Egypt, illustrating the themes of divine providence and the consequences of jealousy. |
וישב
בראשית ל״ז:א׳-מ׳:כ״ג
Vayeshev
Genesis 37:1-40:23
זכריה
ב׳:י״ד-ד׳:ז׳
וְנִלְווּ֩ גוֹיִ֨ם רַבִּ֤ים אֶל־יְהֹוָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא וְהָ֥יוּ לִ֖י לְעָ֑ם וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֣י בְתוֹכֵ֔ךְ וְיָדַ֕עַתְּ כִּי־יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֵלָֽיִךְ׃
וְנָחַ֨ל יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יְהוּדָה֙ חֶלְק֔וֹ עַ֖ל אַדְמַ֣ת הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ וּבָחַ֥ר ע֖וֹד בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
הַ֥ס כׇּל־בָּשָׂ֖ר מִפְּנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּ֥י נֵע֖וֹר מִמְּע֥וֹן קׇדְשֽׁוֹ׃ {פ}
ג׳
וַיַּרְאֵ֗נִי אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל עֹמֵ֕ד לִפְנֵ֖י מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְהַשָּׂטָ֛ן עֹמֵ֥ד עַל־יְמִינ֖וֹ לְשִׂטְנֽוֹ׃
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֗ן יִגְעַ֨ר יְהֹוָ֤ה בְּךָ֙ הַשָּׂטָ֔ן וְיִגְעַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ בְּךָ֔ הַבֹּחֵ֖ר בִּירֽוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם הֲל֧וֹא זֶ֦ה א֖וּד מֻצָּ֥ל מֵאֵֽשׁ׃
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֕עַ הָיָ֥ה לָבֻ֖שׁ בְּגָדִ֣ים צוֹאִ֑ים וְעֹמֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י הַמַּלְאָֽךְ׃
וַיַּ֣עַן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֶל־הָעֹמְדִ֤ים לְפָנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָסִ֛ירוּ הַבְּגָדִ֥ים הַצֹּאִ֖ים מֵעָלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו רְאֵ֨ה הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי מֵעָלֶ֙יךָ֙ עֲוֺנֶ֔ךָ וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹתְךָ֖ מַחֲלָצֽוֹת׃
וָאֹמַ֕ר יָשִׂ֛ימוּ צָנִ֥יף טָה֖וֹר עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיָּשִׂ֩ימוּ֩ הַצָּנִ֨יף הַטָּה֜וֹר עַל־רֹאשׁ֗וֹ וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֙הוּ֙ בְּגָדִ֔ים וּמַלְאַ֥ךְ יְהֹוָ֖ה עֹמֵֽד׃
וַיָּ֙עַד֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה בִּיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ לֵאמֹֽר׃
כֹּה־אָמַ֞ר יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֗וֹת אִם־בִּדְרָכַ֤י תֵּלֵךְ֙ וְאִ֣ם אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י תִשְׁמֹ֔ר וְגַם־אַתָּה֙ תָּדִ֣ין אֶת־בֵּיתִ֔י וְגַ֖ם תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר אֶת־חֲצֵרָ֑י וְנָתַתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מַהְלְכִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָעֹמְדִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
שְֽׁמַֽע־נָ֞א יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ ׀ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֗וֹל אַתָּה֙ וְרֵעֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֣ים לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כִּֽי־אַנְשֵׁ֥י מוֹפֵ֖ת הֵ֑מָּה כִּֽי־הִנְנִ֥י מֵבִ֛יא אֶת־עַבְדִּ֖י צֶֽמַח׃
כִּ֣י ׀ הִנֵּ֣ה הָאֶ֗בֶן אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָתַ֙תִּי֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ עַל־אֶ֥בֶן אַחַ֖ת שִׁבְעָ֣ה עֵינָ֑יִם הִנְנִ֧י מְפַתֵּ֣חַ פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ נְאֻם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת וּמַשְׁתִּ֛י אֶת־עֲוֺ֥ן הָאָֽרֶץ־הַהִ֖יא בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָֽד׃
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא נְאֻם֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת תִּקְרְא֖וּ אִ֣ישׁ לְרֵעֵ֑הוּ אֶל־תַּ֥חַת גֶּ֖פֶן וְאֶל־תַּ֥חַת תְּאֵנָֽה׃
ד׳
וַיָּ֕שׇׁב הַמַּלְאָ֖ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֣ר בִּ֑י וַיְעִירֵ֕נִי כְּאִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יֵע֥וֹר מִשְּׁנָתֽוֹ׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י מָ֥ה אַתָּ֖ה רֹאֶ֑ה (ויאמר) [וָאֹמַ֡ר] רָאִ֣יתִי ׀ וְהִנֵּ֣ה מְנוֹרַת֩ זָהָ֨ב כֻּלָּ֜הּ וְגֻלָּ֣הּ עַל־רֹאשָׁ֗הּ וְשִׁבְעָ֤ה נֵרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ עָלֶ֔יהָ שִׁבְעָ֤ה וְשִׁבְעָה֙ מֽוּצָק֔וֹת לַנֵּר֖וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־רֹאשָֽׁהּ׃
וּשְׁנַ֥יִם זֵיתִ֖ים עָלֶ֑יהָ אֶחָד֙ מִימִ֣ין הַגֻּלָּ֔ה וְאֶחָ֖ד עַל־שְׂמֹאלָֽהּ׃
וָאַ֙עַן֙ וָֽאֹמַ֔ר אֶל־הַמַּלְאָ֛ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֥ר בִּ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר מָה־אֵ֖לֶּה אֲדֹנִֽי׃
וַ֠יַּ֠עַן הַמַּלְאָ֞ךְ הַדֹּבֵ֥ר בִּי֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י הֲל֥וֹא יָדַ֖עְתָּ מָה־הֵ֣מָּה אֵ֑לֶּה וָאֹמַ֖ר לֹ֥א אֲדֹנִֽי׃
וַיַּ֜עַן וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֚ה דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֤א בְחַ֙יִל֙ וְלֹ֣א בְכֹ֔חַ כִּ֣י אִם־בְּרוּחִ֔י אָמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
מִֽי־אַתָּ֧ה הַֽר־הַגָּד֛וֹל לִפְנֵ֥י זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל לְמִישֹׁ֑ר וְהוֹצִיא֙ אֶת־הָאֶ֣בֶן הָרֹאשָׁ֔הֿ תְּשֻׁא֕וֹת חֵ֥ן חֵ֖ן לָֽהּ׃
Zechariah
In that day many nations will attach themselves to GOD and become God’s people, and God will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that I was sent to you by GOD of Hosts.
GOD will claim Judah as a special portion in the Holy Land—and will choose Jerusalem once more.
Be silent, all flesh, before GOD !
For [God] is roused from the holy habitation.
3
I was further shown Joshua, the high priest, standing before the angel of GOD, and the Accuser standing at his right to accuse him.
But [the angel of] GOD said to the Accuser, “GOD rebukes you, O Accuser; GOD who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! For this is a brand plucked from the fire.”
Now Joshua was clothed in filthy garments when he stood before the angel.
The latter spoke up and said to his attendants, “Take the filthy garments off him!” And he said to him, “See, I have removed your guilt from you, and you shall be clothed in [priestly] robes.”
Then he gave the order, “Let a pure diadem be placed on his head.” And they placed the pure diadem on his head and clothed him in [priestly] garments, as the angel of GOD stood by.
And the angel of GOD charged Joshua as follows:
“Thus said GOD of Hosts: If you walk in My paths and keep My charge, you in turn will rule My House and guard My courts, and I will permit you to move about among these attendants.
Hearken well, O High Priest Joshua, you and your fellow priests sitting before you! For those men are a sign that I am going to bring My servant the Branch.
For mark well this stone that I place before Joshua, a single stone with seven eyes. I will execute its engraving—declares GOD of Hosts—and I will remove that country’s guilt in a single day.
In that day—declares GOD of Hosts—you will be inviting each other to the shade of vines and fig trees.”
4
The angel who talked with me came back and woke me as someone is wakened from sleep.
He said to me, “What do you see?” And I answered, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl above it. The lamps on it are seven in number, and the lamps above it have seven pipes;
and by it are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and one on its left.”
I, in turn, asked the angel who talked with me, “What do those things mean, my lord?”
“Do you not know what those things mean?” asked the angel who talked with me; and I said, “No, my lord.”
Then he explained to me as follows:
“This is the word of GOD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit —said GOD of Hosts.
Whoever you are, O great mountain in the path of Zerubbabel, turn into level ground! For he shall produce that excellent stone; it shall be greeted with shouts of ‘Beautiful! Beautiful!’”
Vayeshev
more on Parashat Parashat Vayeshev: Joseph’s Trials
Quick Guide: The Five Books of Moses
Genesis | Exodus | Leviticus | Numbers | Deuteronomy |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bereshit (1:1-6:8) |
Shemot (1:1-6:1) |
Vayikra (1:1-5:26) |
Bemidbar (1:1-4:20) |
Devarim (1:1-3:22) |
Noach (6:9-11:32) |
Va'era (6:2-9:35) |
Tzav (6:1-8:36) |
Naso (4:21-7:89) |
Va'etchanan (3:23-7:11) |
Lech Lecha (12:1-17:27) |
Bo (10:1-13:16) |
Shemini (9:1-11:47) |
Behaalotecha (8:1-12:16) |
Ekev (7:12-11:25) |
Vayera (18:1-22:24) |
Beshalach (13:17-17:16) |
Tazria (12:1-13:59) |
Shelach (13:1-15:41) |
Re'eh (11:26-16:17) |
Chaye Sarah (23:1-25:18) |
Yitro (18:1-20:23) |
Metzora (14:1-15:33) |
Korach (16:1-18:32) |
Shoftim (16:18-21:9) |
Toledot (25:19-28:9) |
Mishpatim (21:1-24:18) |
Achare Mot (16:1-18:30) |
Chukat (19:1-22:1) |
Ki Tetze (21:10-25:19) |
Vayetze (28:10-32:3) |
Teruma (25:1-27:19) |
Kedoshim (19:1-20:27) |
Balak (22:2-25:9) |
Ki Tavo (26:1-29:8) |
Vayishlach (32:4-36:43) |
Tetzave (27:20-30:10) |
Emor (21:1-24:23) |
Pinchas (25:10-30:1) |
Nitzavim (29:9-30:20) |
Vayeshev (37:1-40:23) |
Ki Tisa (30:11-34:35) |
Behar (25:1-26:2) |
Matot (30:2-32:42) |
Vayelech (31:1-30) |
Miketz (41:1-44:17) | Vayakhel (35:1-38:20) |
Bechukotai (26:3-27:34) |
Masei (33:1-36:13) |
Haazinu (32:1-52) |
Vayigash (44:18-47:27) |
Pekude (38:21-40:38) |
V'Zot HaBeracha (33:1-34:12) |
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Vayechi (47:28-50:26) |