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

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 Joseph sends his brothers with gifts “To each of them, moreover, he gave a change of clothing; but to Benjamin, he gave three hundred pieces of silver and several*several Lit. “five”; cf. 43.34. changes of clothing” (Genesis 45:22). We cling to our mistakes, and we repeat the mistakes of our parents. Just as Jacob discriminated against Joseph and created hatred between the brothers, so does Joseph when he gives Benjamin so much more. The rabbis learn from this that a smart person is the one who learns from their own mistakes and from the mistakes of others.