Parshat Vayigash Resources

Genesis 44:18-47:27

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Vayigash: Daily Insight #1

The two kings are thus Judah and Joseph. Judah was the king among his brothers, while Joseph was a king in Egypt. Parshat Vayigash thus begins with the meeting of the two kings. This meeting has tremendous significance, both in the development of the storyline in the Torah and in its meaning for all future generations, as it is known that everything that occurred in the patriarchs’ lives is repeated in our own lives. Judah corresponds to the sefirah of kingdom; Joseph corresponds to the sefirah of foundation. At the very edge of the sefirah of foundation, is its crown, which is the source of the sefirah of kingdom of Ze’er Anpin is revealed. As explained in the Arizal’s writings, this aspect of the kingdom of foundation is embodied by Ephra’im the son of Joseph….Read More…

Joseph's Body

In parashat Vayigash, the word "still" is repeated many times by Jacob and Joseph when they find out that both are still alive. This word in Hebrew refers to the eternity of their bodies. This article explores the special relationship between the body's eternal existence and the month of Tevet. Read More…

Reconnecting with Joseph

The phrase spoken by Jacob, "My son Joseph is still alive" and the phrase "the tree of Josepoh" from the haftarah are equal in value. In this special address made to Gal Einai students in Mexico, Harav Ginsburgh explains the special role of non-Jews who are drawn to the study of Torah and to the Jewish people. Read More…

Vayigash: The History of Crying

Joseph’s revelation to his brothers is accompanied by weeping. It is not the first time that we read of Joseph weeping, nor the last. A few verses later we read how Joseph “…fell upon Benjamin’s neck and wept and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.” All in all, the verb “and he wept” (וַיֵּבְךְּ) appears seven times in the Torah with reference to Joseph—more than any other Biblical figure. But is weeping merely a release of pent up emotions or does it signify something more?