the Torah reading of Vayigash starts mid sentence, following the cliff-hanger anding of last week's Torah reading Miketz. With Binyomin (Benjamin) framed by the Egyptain viceroy Tzafnas Pa'aneach (Yosef/Joseph) thre brothers face the looming catastrophe of the loss of the last reminaing child of Yaakov (Jacob)'s favoured wife Rachel.
This week begins with Yehuda (Judah) stepping forth to confront the Egyptian leader and do all he can to save his borther. Then in the great plot twist Yosef reveals his true identity, and the whole episode transforms from catastrophe to salvation.
Yet the theme of 'vayigash' literally drawing near, involves far more than fraternal reconciliation. Yehuda's speech is one of the longest recorded in Torah, and adds nothing that we do not already know. Within its meanidering lie subtle clues that this is not merely a healing of the brothers and their relationships, but a reconstruction of Yaakov Avinu, our forefather Jacob, and the ability of the nation to survive exile, to live with difference and treu be truly diverse and truly one.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.