Parashat Vayigash is the tenth weekly Torah portion in the book of Genesis (Bereshit), spanning Genesis 44:18-47:27. The name “Vayigash” (וַיִּגַּשׁ) translates to “and he approached” in Hebrew, capturing the climactic moment when Judah approaches Joseph to plead for the release of Benjamin. This parasha is integral to the larger narrative of Jacob’s family, particularly the resolution of the tension between Joseph and his brothers.
Key Events:
Judah’s Plea: As the severe famine persists, Jacob’s sons return to Egypt to purchase more grain. Joseph, now a high-ranking Egyptian official, tests his brothers by concealing a valuable cup in Benjamin’s sack. When the cup is “discovered,” Joseph insists on keeping Benjamin as his servant. Judah, showing genuine remorse and concern for his father’s well-being, approaches Joseph with a heartfelt plea, offering himself as a substitute servant.
Revelation of Joseph’s Identity: Touched by Judah’s sincerity, Joseph can no longer contain his emotions. He reveals his true identity to his brothers, declaring, “I am Joseph, is my father still alive?” The revelation is a profound moment of reconciliation, as Joseph reassures his brothers and invites them to settle in Egypt to escape the famine.
Family Reunion: The parasha culminates in an emotional reunion between Joseph and his father, Jacob. The long-lost son is restored to his family, symbolizing the healing of deep wounds and the reconciliation of a family torn apart by jealousy and betrayal.
Themes:
Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Vayigash is a powerful exploration of forgiveness and reconciliation. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers and their reconciliation reflects themes of compassion, growth, and the transformative power of familial bonds.
Repentance: Judah’s impassioned plea for Benjamin reflects a significant moment of repentance and responsibility. It underscores the idea that genuine remorse and a commitment to making amends are essential components of teshuvah (repentance).
Divine Providence: The parasha highlights the concept of divine providence, illustrating how events unfold according to a greater plan. Joseph recognizes the hand of God in the twists and turns of his life, ultimately leading to the preservation of his family and the fulfillment of divine promises.
Leadership and Empathy: Joseph’s leadership qualities shine through in Vayigash. His ability to rise above personal grievances, coupled with his empathy and compassion, positions him as a wise and forgiving leader who prioritizes the well-being of his family.
Legacy and Relevance:
Parashat Vayigash underscores the importance of forgiveness, sincere repentance, and the restoration of familial relationships. Its enduring legacy lies in its timeless lessons on the power of reconciliation and the potential for positive transformation, emphasizing the significance of family bonds and the overarching role of divine providence in the unfolding narrative of the Jewish people. In contemporary times, Vayigash remains a source of inspiration for those seeking reconciliation and healing within their families and communities.
Parasha Vayigash
Fact | Description |
---|---|
Parashah Number | 10th Parashah in the Book of Genesis (Bereishit) |
Parashah Name | Vayigash (וַיִּגַּשׁ) translates to “and he approached” in Hebrew, signifying the pivotal moment when Judah approaches Joseph to plead for Benjamin’s release. |
Torah Book | Genesis (Bereishit) |
Number of Verses | 112 verses |
Number of Words | Approximately 1,746 words (in the Hebrew text) |
Primary Characters | Joseph, Judah, Pharaoh, Jacob (Israel), Benjamin, and the other sons of Jacob involved in the resolution of the family’s plight. |
Key Themes | Reconciliation, forgiveness, family unity, divine providence, and the impact of sincere repentance on the course of events. |
Significant Events | Judah’s impassioned plea for Benjamin, Joseph revealing his identity, the emotional reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, and the reunion of the family. |
Notable Quotes | “Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.” – Genesis 45:3 |
Legacy | Parashat Vayigash showcases the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation within a fractured family, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God’s promises to Jacob’s descendants. |
Relevance Today | The parashah’s themes of reconciliation and forgiveness resonate today, offering lessons on overcoming familial discord and fostering unity through understanding and forgiveness. |
Well-Known Stories | Judah’s heartfelt plea, Joseph revealing his identity, and the emotional reunion between Joseph and his brothers are poignant and well-known stories from Vayigash. |
Special Observances | Vayigash is often read during synagogue services and studied in Jewish communities, emphasizing the significance of familial bonds and the power of forgiveness. |
Connections to Other Texts | Vayigash is crucial for understanding the unfolding narrative of Jacob’s family in Egypt, laying the groundwork for the enslavement and liberation of the Israelites in later books. |
Theological Significance | Parashat Vayigash highlights the role of divine providence in orchestrating events for the greater good, as well as the potential for redemption and reconciliation through sincere repentance. |
ויגש
Vayigash
Genesis 44:18-47:27
יחזקאל
ל״ז:ט״ו-כ״ח
וְאַתָּ֣ה בֶן־אָדָ֗ם קַח־לְךָ֙ עֵ֣ץ אֶחָ֔ד וּכְתֹ֤ב עָלָיו֙ לִֽיהוּדָ֔ה וְלִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲבֵרָ֑ו וּלְקַח֙ עֵ֣ץ אֶחָ֔ד וּכְת֣וֹב עָלָ֗יו לְיוֹסֵף֙ עֵ֣ץ אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְכׇל־בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲבֵרָֽו׃
וְקָרַ֨ב אֹתָ֜ם אֶחָ֧ד אֶל־אֶחָ֛ד לְךָ֖ לְעֵ֣ץ אֶחָ֑ד וְהָי֥וּ לַאֲחָדִ֖ים בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃
וְכַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ יֹאמְר֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ בְּנֵ֥י עַמְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲלֽוֹא־תַגִּ֥יד לָ֖נוּ מָה־אֵ֥לֶּה לָּֽךְ׃
דַּבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם כֹּה־אָמַר֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִה֒ הִנֵּה֩ אֲנִ֨י לֹקֵ֜חַ אֶת־עֵ֤ץ יוֹסֵף֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיַד־אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְשִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲבֵרָ֑ו וְנָתַתִּי֩ אוֹתָ֨ם עָלָ֜יו אֶת־עֵ֣ץ יְהוּדָ֗ה וַֽעֲשִׂיתִם֙ לְעֵ֣ץ אֶחָ֔ד וְהָי֥וּ אֶחָ֖ד בְּיָדִֽי׃
וְהָי֨וּ הָעֵצִ֜ים אֲֽשֶׁר־תִּכְתֹּ֧ב עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם בְּיָדְךָ֖ לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃
וְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כֹּה־אָמַר֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהֹוִה֒ הִנֵּ֨ה אֲנִ֤י לֹקֵ֙חַ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִבֵּ֥ין הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָֽלְכוּ־שָׁ֑ם וְקִבַּצְתִּ֤י אֹתָם֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י אוֹתָ֖ם אֶל־אַדְמָתָֽם׃
וְעָשִׂ֣יתִי אֹ֠תָ֠ם לְג֨וֹי אֶחָ֤ד בָּאָ֙רֶץ֙ בְּהָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּמֶ֧לֶךְ אֶחָ֛ד יִהְיֶ֥ה לְכֻלָּ֖ם לְמֶ֑לֶךְ וְלֹ֤א (יהיה) [יִֽהְיוּ־]עוֹד֙ לִשְׁנֵ֣י גוֹיִ֔ם וְלֹ֨א יֵחָ֥צוּ ע֛וֹד לִשְׁתֵּ֥י מַמְלָכ֖וֹת עֽוֹד׃
וְלֹ֧א יִֽטַּמְּא֣וּ ע֗וֹד בְּגִלּֽוּלֵיהֶם֙ וּבְשִׁקּ֣וּצֵיהֶ֔ם וּבְכֹ֖ל פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֑ם וְהוֹשַׁעְתִּ֣י אֹתָ֗ם מִכֹּ֤ל מוֹשְׁבֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטְא֣וּ בָהֶ֔ם וְטִהַרְתִּ֤י אוֹתָם֙ וְהָיוּ־לִ֣י לְעָ֔ם וַאֲנִ֕י אֶהְיֶ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִֽים׃
וְעַבְדִּ֤י דָוִד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְרוֹעֶ֥ה אֶחָ֖ד יִהְיֶ֣ה לְכֻלָּ֑ם וּבְמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י יֵלֵ֔כוּ וְחֻקּוֹתַ֥י יִשְׁמְר֖וּ וְעָשׂ֥וּ אוֹתָֽם׃
וְיָשְׁב֣וּ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָתַ֙תִּי֙ לְעַבְדִּ֣י לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽשְׁבוּ־בָ֖הּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְיָשְׁב֣וּ עָלֶ֡יהָ הֵ֠מָּה וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם וּבְנֵ֤י בְנֵיהֶם֙ עַד־עוֹלָ֔ם וְדָוִ֣ד עַבְדִּ֔י נָשִׂ֥יא לָהֶ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃
וְכָרַתִּ֤י לָהֶם֙ בְּרִ֣ית שָׁל֔וֹם בְּרִ֥ית עוֹלָ֖ם יִהְיֶ֣ה אוֹתָ֑ם וּנְתַתִּים֙ וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֣י אוֹתָ֔ם וְנָתַתִּ֧י אֶת־מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י בְּתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃
וְהָיָ֤ה מִשְׁכָּנִי֙ עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים וְהֵ֖מָּה יִהְיוּ־לִ֥י לְעָֽם׃
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה מְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בִּהְי֧וֹת מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י בְּתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ {פ}
Ezekiel
Bring them close to each other, so that they become one stick, joined together in your hand.
And when any of your people ask you, “Won’t you tell us what these actions of yours mean?”
answer them, “Thus said the Sovereign GOD: I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in the hand of Ephraim—and of the tribes of Israel associated with him, and I will place the stick of Judah upon it and make them into one stick; they shall be joined in My hand.”
You shall hold up before their eyes the sticks that you have inscribed,
and you shall declare to them: Thus said the Sovereign GOD: I am going to take the Israelite people from among the nations they have gone to, and gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land.
I will make them a single nation in the land, on the hills of Israel, and one king shall be king of them all. Never again shall they be two nations, and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms.
Nor shall they ever again defile themselves by their fetishes and their abhorrent things, and by their other transgressions. I will save them in all their settlements where they sinned, and I will purify them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
My servant David shall be king over them; there shall be one shepherd for all of them. They shall follow My rules and faithfully obey My laws.
Thus they shall remain in the land that I gave to My servant Jacob and in which your ancestors dwelt; they and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, with My servant David as their prince for all time.
I will make a covenant of friendship with them—it shall be an everlasting covenant with them—I will establish them and multiply them, and I will place My Sanctuary among them forever.
My Presence shall rest over them; I will be their God and they shall be My people.
And when My Sanctuary abides among them forever, the nations shall know that I, GOD, do sanctify Israel.
more on Parashat Parashat Vayigash: Reconciliation
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) |