Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Parashah Roundup: Vayigash 5769

by Steve Brizel

Yosef's Reunion With His Brothers

  • R. Michael Rosensweig explores the ambivalent and complex nature of the reunion of Yosef and his brothers: link
  • R. Dovid Horwitz, R. Baruch Simon and R. Jonathan Sacks discuss how Yehudah's entreaty to Yosef is evidence of his having done teshuvah and not being paralyzed by one's past: link 1, link 2 (audio), link 3
  • R. Yitchak Adlerstein, based upon the Nesivos Shalom and other Chasidic and Kabbalistic sources, shows that Yehudah's plea before Yosef is filled with allusions as to proper prayer: link
  • R. Yissocher Frand and R Baruch Simon connect Yosef's emotional reaction with the source of the Churban Bayis Sheni and the importance of Ahavas Yisrael: link 1, link 2 (audio)
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  • R. Berel Wein suggests that we should use the reunion of Yosef and his brothers as a template for uniting Klal Yisrael: link
  • R. Yitzchak Etshalom probes why Yosef reacted in an emotional manner and what Yosef intended in his charade with the brothers: link
  • R. Avraham Gordimer explains how Yosef's gifts to his brothers enabled them to do teshuvah: link
  • R. Beinish Ginsberg, based upon a famous comment of the Beis HaLevi, exhorts us not to allow ourselves to be placed in the same place as Yehudah when Yosef asks him “Haod Avi Chai”: link (audio)
  • R. Avigdor Nevenzal shows why Yosef's behavior is a prime example of how one should not bear a grudge: link

  • The Seventy Souls
  • R. Yaakov Medan investigates who were the seventy persons who entered Egypt: link

  • The Reunion of Yaakov and Yosef
  • R. Aharon Lichtenstein explains why Yaakov recited the Shma: link
  • R. Shlomo Riskin suggests why Yaakov had to travel to Egypt for the reunion with Yosef: link

  • The Begiinning of Exile
  • R. Zvi Sobolofsky reminds us that a Jew in exile must always see himself as a temporary resident (link) and explains why Yaakov sent Yehudah ahead to prepare the way.

  • Survival in Exile
  • R. Ephraim Buchwald exhorts us to remember that Jewish education is the key element to Jewish survival in exile: link

  • The Intergenerational Nature of the Mitzvah of Talmud Torah
  • R. Aharon Lichstenstein reminds us that the mitzvah of Talmud Torah is strengthened when a father learns with his children: link

  • Honoring Grandparents
  • R. Asher Weiss and R. Dovid Gottlieb explores the extent of the application of Kibud Av Vem to grandparents: link 1, link 2 (audio)


  • Last year's roundup: link


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