Parshat Vayigash

Parshat Vayigash is the continuing story of Joseph and his brothers.

A story is full of intrigue, suspense, and unforeseen developments.  The brothers are returned to Egypt, and Binyamin is accused of being a thief and will have to stay as a slave to the Viceroy.  Brought once again before the Viceroy (Joseph), it is Yehuda who shows that man does have within him a capacity to grow, to mature, to become more truly human.  What Yehuda had not done before when the brothers planned Joseph's fate, he now does for Binyamin.  In one of the most moving pleas in Torah and Jewish literature, he begs that his own life be substituted for Binyamin.  How cunningly this speech is organized.

Yehuda speaks about Binyamin so piteously, of his youth, and being his father's child of old age, although he is a man of thirty.  It is only

Yehuda steps forward and is not silent in the face of the tragedy that

confronted them.  Only Yehuda had the courage to stand alone.

The speech has the desired effect on Joseph.  Can it be because

Yehuda has mentioned Yakov's uncontrollable grief on learning of his

(Joseph's) death?  Joseph can hold out no longer!  He reveals himself to his brothers in these words:  "I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?"  The moment of sweet revenge is on hand.  But instead of

revenge, he is overcome by tears of forgiveness, tears of friendship.

Joseph has reacted and we know that the brothers have been forgiven. Joseph is reunited with his brothers and family with joy.

Joseph suggests that his brothers return to Cannan to bring their

father Yakov, the whole family, and all the goods which they have

accumulated. Amid weeping and joy, father and son are reunited.  And Yakov, now 130 years old feels that he can die in peace.  The family takes up residence in Goshen a district west of the present-day Suez Canal. The land provided is good pasture for the family’s cattle.

The family prospered and multiplied, became strong, and grew into a

mighty nation.  A nation is so mighty and strong that Pharaoh forgot

about Joseph and all that he accomplished and enslaved the Hebrews. From here the Hebrews were to emerge as a free nation that would one day stand at Sinai to receive the Torah, and whose mission it is to be an example to the nations of the world.