Vayigash

וַיִּגַּשׁ
And [Judah] Approached [Joseph]

Genesis 44:18−47:27

When Is Vayigash Read?

/ 7 Tevet 5786
/ 9 Tevet 5787
/ 9 Tevet 5788

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)

Ten Minutes of Torah: Vayigash Commentary

Photo of twin brothers hugging

Approaching Another: On Judah’s Lack of Self-Righteousness

By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler

Parashat Vayigash begins with Judah approaching the Egyptian viceroy, a man he does not know is actually his brother Joseph, in sheer terror.

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Video: Learn More About Parashat Vayigash With Bim Bam

Parashat Vayigash with Bim Bam

When Joseph first tests his brothers, Judah gets a chance to prove how far he's come. Rabbi Sydney Mintz tells about the three moral compasses of three very different brothers.

Listen to Podcasts on Parashat Vayigash

Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs discuss Parashat Vayigash in these episodes of his podcast, On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah.

Formed in the Wildernes

Jewish-Catholic Relations: On Reconnecting

Putting Judah in Judaism

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Rabbi Rick Jacobs