Hello Friends! A quick reminder that our services in January will be on the evening of the 6th at 7:00PM and our Midrash (Torah Study) will be on the 7th at 10:00AM both events at the shul. Hope to see you!
Parsha Vayigash
This week we read Parsha Vayigash (Gen. 44:18 - 47:27) which means, "and he drew near". It is the first Hebrew word: "Then Judah drew near and said..." What is amazing is that Judah is now talking to his brother Joseph the very person Judah sold into slavery years earlier but he does not recognize him. After all, Joseph looks and speaks as an Egyptian. Judah is trying to make a deal with Joseph to allow Benjamin to go free and make himself a captive. The reason is because Judah fears that if something happens to Benjamin it would break the heart of Jacob their father.
And, so it is that Joseph now makes it a point to invite Jacob and the entire tribe to come to Egypt. After all there is famine in Canaan and there is plenty in Egypt. When the brothers go and tell Jacob of this offer Jacob is fearful but G-d speaks to him and says that should they go to Egypt He will go with them and will make them a mighty people.
And Hashem delivers.
Joseph Reveals
The brothers still had no idea that they were speaking with Joseph. Not being able to restrain himself any longer Joseph orders all of the Egyptians out of the room. After doing so he speaks to his brothers in Hebrew and then does something remarkable. He tells them not to feel guilty about selling him into slavery saying, "Do not reproach yourselves for selling me here this was the plan of G-d that I become the provider for my family..." Oh how not to carry a grudge.
Once again...hope to see you on the 6th and the 7th.
Thank you for reading and Shabbat Shalom!
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