PARSHAS VAYIGASH | 9 TEVES 5770 | 26 DECEMBER 2009

Parsha Perspectives MOSHE GEWIRTZ window. His wife ran into their home, yelling ויפל על צוְארי בנימן אחיו ויבך ובנימן בכה על צואריו that his attendant’s grandson, Meir, was “Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, bleeding profusely after a big fall. They hurried and Benjamin wept upon his neck.” (Genesis 45:14) outside and tended to the boy. Schwadron picked up the child and began ontinuing the narrative of Joseph’s encounter with his brothers, this running with him in his arms in search of a doctor. An elderly woman observing the week’s portion describes how Joseph revealed himself to his scene called out in Yiddish, “Rabbi Sholom, brothers and shocked them with the words, “I am Joseph! Is our father Rabbi Sholom, es iz nisht doh vos tzu daigin. C Der Eibeshter vet helfen. (There is nothing to still alive?” The brothers were stunned to discover that this powerful leader, the worry about. G-d will take care of him.)” As second-in-command to the king of Egypt, was their long-forgotten brother whom the Rabbi neared the woman however, she recognized that the bleeding child was her they had sold into slavery. The Torah then adds a seemingly insignificant detail – own grandson. She screamed, “Gevalt! that Joseph and Benjamin fell upon each other’s necks and wept. Meirka! Gevalt! (Woe Meir, woe!) Run faster, Rabbi Sholom!” In explanation of this detail, Rashi teaches that caused them to weep for its destruction at Joseph was weeping about both of the Holy this juncture. While many people are genuinely concerned Temples that were to be built in Benjamin’s about the well-being of others, it isn’t as portion of and would subsequently be How does one atone for such a sin? How common to have the same degree of concern destroyed. Benjamin on the other hand, wept does one prevent the recurrence of sin’at and compassion for others as we have for about the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, to be built chinam? Through ahavat chinam, unwarranted those who are our own flesh and blood. in Joseph’s portion, which would likewise be love, i.e., by loving a fellow Jew for no reason Meir’s grandmother’s attitude was typical. destroyed. Rashi’s comment begs the other than the fact that he or she is a Jew. Rabbi Schwadron’s manner of personally question of whether this was the appropriate caring for the child as he would for his own time for mourning these tragedies that would Our teach us that the ultimate child was a lesson in unwarranted love. occur only many generations later. Equally expression of loving a fellow Jew is feeling puzzling is why they each wept about the pained by his/her sorrow to the extent that By shedding their earlier rivalry and weeping destruction in the other one’s portion and not one would be pained by one’s own tragedy for the eventual losses that would occur in in their own. and rejoicing at his/her good fortune to the each other’s portion of Israel, Joseph and extent that one would rejoice at one’s own Benjamin displayed genuine ahavat chinam Rabbi Yechezkel Taub of (1755- good news. Based on this insight, our sages for each other – rectifying the sinat chinam 1856), the first in the Chasidic dynasty tell us that if someone enhances the joy of a that had brought about their long separation. of , explained that at the moment the bride and groom, it is as if he has rebuilt the It would do us all well to take this message to brothers were finally reunited, they came to ruins of . Just as sinat chinam heart and follow Joseph’s and Benjamin’s the stark realization that the cause of their brought about the destruction of our Holy lead by genuinely feeling the pain and the joy long painful separation was sin’at chinam, Temple, ahavat chinam will bring about its of others. With enough unwarranted love, we unwarranted hatred. They knew through rebuilding. can undo the harm of the unwarranted hatred Divine inspiration that sin’at chinam would that brought about our long exile, and hasten also be the cause for the destruction of the A story involving Rabbi Sholom Schwadron, a the rebuilding of the ruins of Jerusalem. Holy Temple and Tabernacle. The realization well-known orator in Jerusalem, underscores that they had engaged in the very sin that this point. One day, Rabbi Schwadron heard Moshe Gewirtz can be reached at: would bring an end to the Holy Temple a scream from the alleyway outside his [email protected] Talking Points VAYIGASH RABBI ELAZAR MEISELS 1. GRAVE CONSEQUENCES 2. CHILDREN OF ISRAEL the brothers to establish the “And he kissed all his brothers and cried upon them, “And Jacob rose up from Beer Sheva and the Children which would serve as the spiritual light for and afterwards his brothers spoke to him.” 45:15 of Israel transported their father Jacob, their children, the nation? Tiferes Shlomo of and their wives in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent explains that Judah was the first person And he kissed all his brothers – This to carry him.” 46:5 mentioned in the Torah to take teaches that he kissed each brother and cried. responsibility for others when he Just as the appeasement of his brothers Sons of Israel transported their father promised Jacob regarding Benjamin: “I will occurred only through tears, similarly, the Jacob – Why doesn’t the verse refer to them be security for him. You will demand him salvation will come to Israel only through initially as sons of Jacob instead of sons of from my hand and if I do not bring him to tears. – Midrash Tanchumah Israel? They were descending to Egypt not only because they were Jacob’s sons, but you, and set him before you, I will have When we return to our Holy Land upon the because they were the children of all the sinned to you for all time.” One of the advent of the Messianic Era, we will be Partriarchs and Matriarchs with whom the indispensable qualities necessary for one brought to tears because we will realize how Almighty forged a covenant that required that who wishes to establish a yeshiva and much we lost by being stuck in exile all the they spend time in Egypt. Therefore, in this lead young men is a willingness to years. – Ksav Sofer context, it refers to them as the Children of assume responsibility for them, even A Roman king called together ten great sages Israel. However, they carried Jacob down with when doing so requires great self-sacrifice. and inquired of them, “What is the law them because he was their father, and Having demonstrated his willingness to regarding one who kidnaps a person and therefore the verse writes, “Their father behave selflessly toward others, Judah sold him as a slave?” They answered, “The Jacob.” was the ideal choice to establish the kidnapper should be executed.” The king When referring to the nation as yeshiva which would train the next responded, “If so, then punishment should descendants of all the Partriarchs and generation. have been meted out to the brothers who Matriarchs, the term Israel is most Rabbi Meisels can be reached at: kidnapped Joseph and sold him into [email protected] captivity!” He then declared, “Ten outstanding appropriate, because the name Israel sages will be put to death in place of those contains a reference to each of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Yud = Yaakov & This page is dedicated to and written for the who participated in the kidnapping and sale 6,500 Partners in Torah mentors. We welcome of Joseph.” Yitzchak, Shin = Sara, Reish = Rivka & you to join their ranks by calling 800-STUDY-4-2. Rachel, Aleph = Avraham, Lamed = Leah. Please send your comments, questions, and These ten great sages are known as the suggestions to [email protected] “Assarah Harugei Malchus” [ten victims of the monarch], and their story is recited 3. ONE FOR ALL Contact Info for Partners in each and Tisha B’Av. Einei “And Judah he [Jacob] sent ahead of him to Joseph, so Torah Mentor Advisors*: HaEidah points out that the word that he might direct him to Goshen and they then “Aleihem” [upon them] in this verse came to the land of Goshen.” 46:28 Rabbi Elazar Meisels appears to be superfluous, for it would 732-917-6370 Judah he sent ahead of him – He sent him (Sunday & Tuesday 8:00—11:00 pm, and have been sufficient to tell us that he to clear out the land from idolatry, because Thursday 10:00am—12:00 noon) kissed them and cried. What is added by Jacob would not inhabit a place that was full [email protected] “upon them?” He explains that this word of idolatry. – Sifei Kohein contains a hint to the catastrophe that Rabbi Pinchos Jung resulted from this dreadful act of That he might direct him – To establish a 845-425-6533 (leave message) kidnapping Joseph. The letters of the word yeshiva in Goshen that they would populate are an acrostic for “Assidim Lehiyos once they arrived and which would provide *Kindly reserve use of our advisors spiritual guidance for them. - Rashi Harugei Malchus” [They are destined to for mentor contact be victims of the monarch]. Why was Judah selected from among all

THE PROCESSION OF THE TORAH RABBI LEIBY BURNHAM

for the Torah, it also expresses the ability Dear Rabbi, of the Torah to infuse holiness through My partner and I have been discussing the importance of prayer, simple contact alone. Just as we wash our hands when we touch something impure, and I recently started attending a local synagogue for as it somehow transfers to our hands, so services fairly regularly. (I had been a “twice-a-year” Jew for the too when we touch the Torah scroll, we recognize that it transfers some level of past twenty years, going only on and Yom holiness to our hands (Pischei She’arim, Kippur.) I really enjoy the warm atmosphere, the rabbi’s speeches, S.A. 371:4).

the chance to talk to G-d, and the Kiddush of course ☺. I was Lastly, you may notice that the Torah is wondering if you could describe the procession of the Torah, brought to the bimah from one side of the synagogue and returned from the other. beginning with its removal from the ark. This is based on the concept that Thanks, whenever faced with a choice of two directions to take, one should take the way Sarah H. toward the right. When the chazzan is facing the crowd from the ark, the “right” way will bring him along one side of the Dear Sarah, to the chazzan, we say “Blessed is He who synagogue. But when he is facing the ark gave the Torah…” to return it, the “right” way will be the There are a number of different prayers opposite side. and customs involved in taking the Torah After that first prayer is a beautiful scroll out of the ark, and bringing it to the paragraph written in Aramaic. This selection I hope that this information gives you a bimah, the table on which it is read. is from the Zohar, an ancient Kabalistic better understanding of the procession of work, and is said today almost universally the Torah. Someone other than the chazzan (cantor) before reading the Torah (MB 282:1). is usually honored with removing the Regards, Torah from the ark. In this way, we honor Next in this procession, the chazzan reads Rabbi Leiby Burnham the Torah, by showing how beloved it is three verses, the first two of which are that many people want to be involved in repeated by the congregation. (We do not Rabbi Burnham can be reached at: taking it out. In the Temple, when the King recite these verses on Mondays and [email protected] would read from the Torah, four people Thursdays, when the Torah is also read.) would be honored with passing it on During the recitation of these verses, the LOOK WHO MADE PARTNER… before it reached the King. chazzan faces the congregation. For the last verse, “Give greatness to G-d with me, RECENT SAMPLING OF PEOPLE The first prayer said when the ark is and we will exalt His name together,” he WHO HAVE JOINED AS PARTNERS:

opened is, “And it was when they lifted the turns around to face the ark. In order to DAVID KOLAT -- ELIZABETH, NJ Ark…” This prayer, which consists of three demonstrate that he is doing this together AMANDA KATZ -- MARGATE, FL verses, mimics what is happening in the with the people, he turns around to face STUART SCHNEE -- JERUSALEM, ISRAEL synagogue. First the Ark is lifted up, or in the same direction in which they are SALLY MARVER -- NORTHBROOK, IL this case opened, and becomes a part of facing. BAILY DAVIDOWITS -- , NY LISA ARNOLD -- BEVERLY HILLS, CA our service. The next verse, “For from Zion MOSHE PEREZ -- TORONTO, ONTARIO the Torah shall go forth,” is recited as the The chazzan begins carrying the Torah MARC NELKIN -- SILVER SPRING, MD Torah is being brought out of the Ark. toward the bimah, and people kiss it either Lastly, as the Torah is about to be handed with their mouths or with their hands. Making Partner has never been this easy! from the person who took it out of the ark While kissing it clearly shows our great love TABLE TALK Parsha At-A-Glance FOR DISCUSSION AROUND THE SHABBAT TABLE RABBI LABEL LAM

And Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s Joseph, who was still unrecognized by his promised him that he would be buried in household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh, and I will brothers, sentenced Benjamin to slavery. In the . The Torah enumerates say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household an impassioned plea for Benjamin’s the individuals in Jacob’s family (a total of who are in the land of Canaan have come to me. The release, Yehudah so aroused Joseph’s seventy descendants) who went with him men are shepherds, for they have been cattlemen; feelings for his elderly father that Joseph to Egypt. their flocks and cattle, and everything they own they could no longer hold back the truth. He have brought.’ And it will be that when Pharaoh ordered all the Egyptians to leave the When Joseph met his father after a summons you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ chamber. separation of twenty-two years, he Then you shall say, ‘Your servants have been embraced him and cried. Joseph told his cattlemen from our youth until now, both we and our family to answer Pharaoh, who would forefathers,’ so that you may settle in the land of When he and his brothers were alone, he Goshen, since all shepherds are abhorrent to raised his voice in weeping and revealed inquire about their occupations, that both Egyptian.” (Bereishis 46:31-34) that he was their long-lost brother. They they and their ancestors had been were speechless. The full impact of their cattlemen from childhood. Egyptians As explained by Rashi (47:2), Joseph feared actions twenty-two years ago suddenly disliked shepherds – thus securing Joseph’s having his brothers conscripted into ) confronted them. Joseph comforted them family to live in Goshen, away from the Pharaoh’s royal army. In an effort to convince א Pharaoh that his brothers were unsuitable for royal by explaining that he harbored no ill-will. He negative influences of Egypt. Pharaoh spoke service, he encouraged them to emphasize that their understood that all the events of the past just as Joseph had predicted. profession, and hence their skill, was limited to caring were ordained by Hashem to provide a for sheep. His ultimate goal of keeping his brothers salvation for his family during the famine. The parsha describes Joseph’s successful sheltered in the land of Goshen was thus realized. efforts to keep Egypt alive. He rationed the As Joseph personally succeeded in maintaining his Joseph sent wagons full of food to his food supply, accepting first money, and character while playing such a pivotal role in Egypt, father with a plea that Jacob move his then valuables in exchange for grain. When why did he shield his brothers from having a household to Egypt. Pharaoh was very there was no longer anything with which potentially similar or an even greater influence? Is pleased at the prospect of Joseph’s entire the people could buy food, they sold this not at odds with our charge (see Isaiah 42:6) to family moving to Egypt and promised them themselves as slaves to Pharaoh in serve as “a light unto the nations”? the best land on which to settle. exchange for sustenance. Joseph shifted In preparation for his own discussion with entire populations from one city to another, ) Pharaoh, Joseph said that he was planning to Jacob rejoiced that Joseph was alive and leaving only the Egyptian priestly class tell Pharaoh that his brothers brought planned to see him, but was afraid to move undisturbed. Joseph’s family remained ב everything they owned with them. How is this piece to Egypt. Hashem reassured Jacob that He secluded in Goshen and increased of information relevant to his agenda of dissuading would accompany him down to Egypt and dramatically. Pharaoh from enlisting his brothers in his army?

Rabbi Lam can be reached at: [email protected]