This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeishev – וַיֵּשֶׁב (Genesis 37:1−40:23)
“His brothers saw that their father loved him more than his brothers
and they hated him and could not speak to him peaceably (l’shalom).” Genesis 37:4
Our rabbis teach that because Jacob favored Joseph and made him a special garment, we ended up slaves in Egypt for 400 years. We should never treat one child better than their siblings. Do not play favorites with your children; this is the teaching here.
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
“His brothers saw that their father loved him more than his brothers
and they hated him and could not speak to him peaceably (l’shalom).” Genesis 37:4
Our rabbis teach that because Jacob favored Joseph and made him a special garment, we ended up slaves in Egypt for 400 years. We should never treat one child better than their siblings. Do not play favorites with your children; this is the teaching here.