This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayigash – וַיִּגַּשׁ (Genesis 44:18−47:27)
“Josef said to his brothers: I am Josef. Is my father still alive?
And his brothers could not answer him for they were dumbfounded before him.” Genesis 45:3
Joseph literally comes out from the closet and admits to his brothers and more importantly to himself, that he is Joseph. He tried to become an Egyptian prince, to dress and act like one, but at the end of the day, one cannot change who you truly are.
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
“Josef said to his brothers: I am Josef. Is my father still alive?
And his brothers could not answer him for they were dumbfounded before him.” Genesis 45:3
Joseph literally comes out from the closet and admits to his brothers and more importantly to himself, that he is Joseph. He tried to become an Egyptian prince, to dress and act like one, but at the end of the day, one cannot change who you truly are.