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Vayigash – וַיִּגַּשׁ (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayigash – וַיִּגַּשׁ (Genesis 44:18−47:27)

Despite being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, Joseph chooses to show them kindness, compassion, and love, embracing them instead of punishing them for what they did to him. May we all have the wisdom and courage of Joseph, choosing to love others as we would want to be loved, ourselves.

Parsha Vayigash – וַיִּגַּשׁ Torah Summary:

Judah pleads with Joseph to free Benjamin and offers himself as a replacement. (44:18-34) Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and forgives them for selling him into slavery. (45:1-15) Although the famine still rages, Pharaoh invites Joseph’s family to “live off the fat of the land.” (45:16-24) Jacob learns that Joseph is still alive and, with God’s blessing, goes to Egypt. (45:25-46:33) Pharaoh permits Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen. Pharaoh then meets with Jacob. (47:1-12) With the famine increasing, Joseph designs a plan for the Egyptians to trade their livestock and land for food. The Israelites thrive in Egypt. (47:13-27) Vayigash – וַיִּגַּשׁ Despite being sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers, Joseph chooses to show them kindness, compassion, and love, embracing them instead of punishing them for what they did to him. May we all have the wisdom and courage of Joseph, choosing to love others as we would want to be loved, ourselves.

Mikeitz – מִקֵּץ (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Mikeitz – מִקֵּץ (Genesis 41:1−44:17)

The Hebrew month of Kislev is the month of dreams, and in this week’s Torah portion, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, rising to become his trusted advisor. May we have the courage to follow our dreams, especially when things feel impossible.

Parsha Mikeitz – מִקֵּץ Torah Summary:

Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s two dreams and predicts seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of famine. (41:1-32) Pharaoh places Joseph in charge of food collection and distribution. (41:37-49) Joseph marries Asenath, and they have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (41:50-52) When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food during the famine, Joseph accuses them of spying. He holds Simeon hostage while the rest of the brothers return to Canaan to retrieve Benjamin for him. (42:3-42:38) The brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin and for more food. Joseph continues the test, this time falsely accusing Benjamin of stealing and declaring that Benjamin must remain his slave. (43:1-44:17) Mikeitz – מִקֵּץ The Hebrew month of Kislev is the month of dreams, and in this week’s Torah portion, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, rising to become his trusted advisor. May we have the courage to follow our dreams, especially when things feel impossible.

Vayeishev – וַיֵּשֶׁב (Genesis 37:1−40:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeishev – וַיֵּשֶׁב (Genesis 37:1−40:23)

Throughout his life, Joseph faces hardship after hardship. Despite his hardships, he chooses to live in gratitude for what he has and act with kindness in his heart. May we all strive to live with gratitude and kindness in our hearts, bringing light to even the darkest of our days.

Parsha Vayeishev – וַיֵּשֶׁב Torah Summary:

Jacob is shown to favor his son Joseph, whom the other brothers resent. Joseph has dreams of grandeur. (Genesis 37:1-11) After Joseph’s brothers had gone to tend the flocks in Shechem, Jacob sends Joseph to report on them. The brothers decide against murdering Joseph but instead sell him into slavery. After he is shown Joseph’s coat of many colors, which had been dipped in the blood of a kid, Jacob is led to believe that Joseph has been killed by a beast. (Genesis 37:12-35) Tamar successively marries two of Judah’s sons, each of whom dies. Judah does not permit her levirate marriage to his youngest son. She deceives Judah into impregnating her. (Genesis 38:1-30) God is with Joseph in Egypt until the wife of his master, Potiphar, accuses him of rape, whereupon Joseph is imprisoned. (Genesis 39:1-40:23) Vayeishev – וַיֵּשֶׁב Throughout his life, Joseph faces hardship after hardship. Despite his hardships, he chooses to live in gratitude for what he has and act with kindness in his heart. May we all strive to live with gratitude and kindness in our hearts, bringing light to even the darkest of our days.

Vayishlach – וַיִּשְׁלַח (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayishlach – וַיִּשְׁלַח (Genesis 32:4−36:43)

“Seeing your face is like seeing the face of God” (Genesis 33:10, and on the wall of our sanctuary) – The ability to see the image of God in every person we encounter is the highest human endeavor possible. Every person is created in the image of God. Friend or foe. Jewish or not. Every human life is sacred.

Parsha Vayishlach – וַיִּשְׁלַח Torah Summary:

Jacob prepares to meet Esau. He wrestles with a “man,” who changes Jacob’s name to Israel. (32:4-33) Jacob and Esau meet and part peacefully, each going his separate way. (33:1-17) Dinah is raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was chief of the country. Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi take revenge by murdering all the males of Shechem, and Jacob’s other sons join them in plundering the city. (34:1-31) Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin and is buried in Ephrah, which is present-day Bethlehem. (35:16-21) Isaac dies and is buried in Hebron. Jacob’s and Esau’s progeny are listed. (35:22-36:43) Vayishlach – וַיִּשְׁלַח “Seeing your face is like seeing the face of God” (Genesis 33:10, and on the wall of our sanctuary) – The ability to see the image of God in every person we encounter is the highest human endeavor possible. Every person is created in the image of God. Friend or foe. Jewish or not. Every human life is sacred.