Parashah Roundup: Vayechi 5768

by Steve Brizel

Yosef's Reconciliation with His Brothers

R. Zev Leff investigates why the rapprochement between Yosef and his brothers was so drawn out and whether it accomplished Yosef's intended purpose: link

The Location of Rachel's Tomb

R. Yaakov Medan explores the historical significance of Rachel's burial site: link

Yaakov's Blessings to His Sons

The Sfas Emes (as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass) explains Yaakov's blessing for Yehudah: link

Menahem Ben Yashar focuses on Yosef's role in the burial of Yaakov and the road taken to Meoras HaMachpelah: link

R. Efraim Buchwald shows how the struggle over the birthright is a pervasive theme continues beyond Joseph and his brothers with tragic consequences: link

R. Ezra Bick discusses the tension between the Land of Canaan and Egypt throughout the Parshah: link

R. Jonathan Sacks explores the beginning of the Exodus in the meaning of the blessings from Yaakov to Efraim and Menashe and the significance of the fourth generation: link

R. Asher Brander explores whether Yosef and his brothers ever reached a full reconciliation: link

R. Yaakov Horowitz discusses the true nature of the blessing and the battle that his sons and their descendants will wage in every generation: link

R. Herschel Schachter points to the text of the brachos from each of the Avos in how we should balance Mesorah and change in Halacha and Hashkafa: link

R. Mordechai Willig focuses on the brachos as a balance between modernity and tradition: link

R. Yissachar Frand explores the nature of the brachos given to each of the brothers: link

R. Shlomo Wolbe zt"l discusses the nature of the blessing received by Shimon and Levi: link (DOC)

R. Avigdor Nevenzal explores the impact of the Avos and their sons on our lives: link

R. Shlomo Riskin explains why Yaakov blessed Efraim before Menashe: link

R. Gedaliah Hochberg discusses the halacha of “Mitzvah Lkayem Divrei HaMes”: link