Vayechi

Genesis 47:28–50:26

By Rabbi Yaakov Pollak, Orthodox Union for MyJewishLearning.com

What Is Your Blessing?

Jacob blessed his sons, not only according to each of their characters, but also with a unique piece of himself.

How much importance do we attach to blessings that we receive from others? How seriously do we take them? Our Sages established that "everything depends upon the one who gives the blessing and the one who receives it."

What if God Himself gives the blessing?

You Will Be A Blessing?

A deeper significance to the concept of blessings is found in the Almighty's declaration to Abraham, "Veheyei berachah--You will be a blessing." This gave Abraham the Divine authority to bless anyone else he wanted, according to Rashi.

 The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that Abraham became the model through whom other people blessed each other.

But there is another way to understand "Veheyei berachah." The Torah tells us that Abraham, just before his death, "gave Isaac all that he possessed. And to the children of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts."

But how did he give his many other children gifts, if he bequeathed it all to Isaac?

Continue reading.

Follow us on   

Vayigash

Genesis 44:18−47:27

By Rabbi Yitzchok A. Breitowitz.  Provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations for MyJewishLearning.com

Preparing For Exile

Joseph used his position of rulership to help his brothers develop coping skills for their upcoming exile.

Joseph's interaction with his brothers is one of the most perplexing stories in the Torah, one that has puzzled generations of readers for thousands of years.

Why does Joseph conceal his identity? Why did he wait so long to tell his father that he was in Egypt?

Even if one follows the view of the Abarbanel (15th century Spanish/Portuguese commentator), that, as a slave, Joseph had no means of informing Jacob and, after his ascension to political power, he still could not do so lest he be accused of disloyalty, questions abound.


Explaining His Actions

How do we explain his demand that the brothers bring his younger brother Benjamin down from Israel? Why did he falsely accuse Benjamin of being a thief and sentence him to slavery, when he knew the news would devastate Jacob and perhaps kill him? In Joseph, we are not simply dealing with a victim who finds himself in a position to take revenge.

Continue reading.


Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board    page.

Shabbat Hanukkah, Mikeitz

Genesis 41:1−44:17

By Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations. for MyJewishLearning.com

Joseph's transformation from imprisoned Hebrew slave to vizier is sudden and dizzying.

Based on his initiative and his abilities as a dream-interpreter and adviser, he is taken from the dungeon of Pharaoh's prison and placed at Pharaoh's side as second-in-command. Pharaoh says:

"You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be sustained; only by the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40).

During this critical period in Joseph's life, the "master of dreams" (37:19) becomes the center of a world of public action. Pharaoh appoints him as supervisor of the national food collection and distribution project, and endows him with all the trappings of service to the king:

"And Pharaoh removed his ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put the golden medallion on his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot and they cried before him, "I command, kneel (avrech)," placing him over the whole land of Egypt (41:42-43).

Joseph is thoroughly successful in discharging his commission, and he rises to the highest position possible under the Pharaoh. But, whereas before, while he was in his father's house and in the prison, as well as later, in the presence of his brothers, we have an insight into Joseph's frame of mind, during this period Joseph is either acting or acted-upon. The Torah shares almost none of his thoughts with us.

Continue reading.


Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board    page.

Vayeishev

Genesis 37:1−40:23

By Rabbi Chaim Landau, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations. for MyJewishLearning.com

Upon reviewing the stories of two of Jacob’s twelve sons, Joseph and Judah, one may wonder why Judah’s descendants were ultimately crowned with the kingship of Israel rather than those of Joseph.

After her first and second husbands died, both sons of Judah, Tamar dressed as a prostitute and seduced her former father-in-law. Joseph, on the other hand, when confronted by his master Potiphar’s wife, who propositioned him in the privacy of her mansion, ran away. Judah acceded to temptation; Joseph resisted.

Judah's Suggestion

Earlier in the Parashah the Torah tells us that Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers and about to be killed. What does Judah do? He suggests that the brothers sell Joseph to a passing caravan of Ishmaelite merchants. Though he is the leader of the brothers, he does not recommend that Joseph be retrieved from the pit and brought back to their father.

Moreover, Judah, according to certain midrashim, married a Canaanite woman at a time when his family was anxious about the children intermarrying. Why, one wonders, was Judah rewarded with the sovereign leadership of Israel?  A good leader is not one who is perfect, but one who falters and finds the strength of purpose to make a fresh start through repentance and improved actions.

Continue reading.

Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board    page.

Vayishlach

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Living With Threat

Yaakov sends Esav the message that despite having lived with Lavan, he has managed to keep the commandments and learned to stand up to powerful figures.

By Rabbi Avraham Fischer, provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations. for MyJewishLearning.com

The last time the twins were together, Esau was so consumed by his hatred for Jacob that he prayed, “May the day of my father’s mourning approach so I may kill my brother Jacob,” (Bereishit27:41). And so, Jacob left to learn in Yeshiva and then live with his uncle Laban in Padan-Aram, where he married and raised a family.

Now, more than 30 years later, how does Esau feel? Has his hatred subsided, or has it intensified? Returning home to such an ambiguous situation Jacob realizes that a confrontation with Esau is inevitable, and consequently prepares for whatever might happen.

At first the message Jacob sends Esau is deferential: “With Laban have I lived and I have been detained until now. I have oxen and donkeys, flocks and servants and maid-servants, and I have sent word to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your eyes” (ibid.32: 5-6).

The 613 Mitzvot

Continue reading.


Want to know more about Biblical Figures? Follow our board    page.