Genesis 37:1–40:23
Parshat Vayeshev
Jacob settles in Canaan and favors Joseph, giving him a coat of many colors; Joseph's dreams of greatness fuel his brothers' jealousy and they sell him into slavery. The story of Judah and Tamar follows. In Egypt Joseph rises in Potiphar's house, is falsely accused and imprisoned, and there interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker.
Essays
Parsha Vayeishev – A Chain Reaction One cannot commit a private immoral act. Our entire universe is an organic whole, where each and every action, word and even thought reverberates throughout the universe in a chain reaction. Parsha Vayeishev – A Tale of Two Compromises Some compromises are necessary. We must do whatever can forestall a Jew’s spiritual demise. However, there is never a point when we allow the compromise to be “institutionalized.” Parsha Vayeishev – A Joseph Moment When we have a Joseph moment, subjected to pressures that take us away from our past, present and future—we should view it as an incredible opportunity to grow to unimaginable heights. Not only do we not sever the link in the chain, we become the strongest link; we add dignity, holiness and strength Parsha Vayeishev – Both Sides Are Holy Every decent person realizes that, although the results might be the same, they should always choose a positive and regal means of achieving a good end. The ends do not justify the means. Parsha Vayeishev – Early Retirement When we tackle the obstacles that surround us we liberate the sparks of holiness that is hidden within every physical object and experience. This will then lead us to the Final Redemption and eternal peace. Parsha Vayeishev – Chanukah and the Monarchy A true Jewish leader—contrary to most political and religious leaders of our time—has to put the interests of his people—even of one individual—ahead of his own personal interest and prestige. This was the hallmark of Jewish leadership throughout the ages. And this is one of the signs that we will u Parsha Vayeishev – Empty Pits and Chanukah Menoros Placed Too High Those who think that Moshiach is not real have adopted the Galus, which is likened to snakes and scorpions. And those who think Moshiach is too sublime for us have place their Chanukah Menorah beyond twenty cubits. Moshiach is sublime but he is also down-to-earth and part of our reality. We just hav Parsha Vayeishev – Go See How Your Brothers Are Doing “Don’t judge a person until you are in his place.” And don’t underestimate the value and contribution of others who appear to us to be on a much lower level. Parsha Vayeishev – Having Your Sublime Light and Eating It Too By blessing Jacob, Isaac paved the way for the forging of a Jewish nation that would receive the Divine Master Plan— the Torah—at Mount Sinai. Ultimately, it would lead to reconciliation with Esau in the Messianic Age. Parsha Vayeishev – Joseph’s Brothers The potential for negative energy is also the potential for the power to combat and neutralize that negative energy. When we see someone who seems to be a rebel, we should not fight that spirit of rebelliousness. We should rather channel it into the force of opposition to rebelliousness. Parsha Vayeishev – Keeping Our Chanukah Lights in Our Eye’s Sight Moshiach will succeed in achieving the goal of transforming the outside. Moshiach is a warrior against the influences that threaten the integrity of the Torah, Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Moshiach is more than that. He will influence every Jew to follow in the ways of G-d and indeed, he wi Parsha Vayeishev – Living in the Future The 12 tribes had an identity crisis. Were they simply a continuation of the tradition that began with Noah of making the world a civilized one, laying the ground work for the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people? Or were they actually the first generation and nucleus of the Jewish nation? Were Parsha Vayeishev – Light and More Light! This Chanukah, we ought to proclaim with every fiber of our being: No more darkness! We want light! Pure unadulterated light! We want Moshiach now! Parsha Vayeishev – Signet Ring, Cloak and Staff The soul when it descends into our physical world to inhabit a body is no longer “attached” to its heavenly source. The soul, detached though it may be down here, possesses a superior strength that it receives from the soul’s very essence. When in its heavenly abode, the soul does not need that powe Parsha Vayeishev – Sit Down and Eat a Meal Before we decide to do something drastic that may distance another Jew from us, we must be deliberate in our judgment. This action can either get us more ensconced in exile or get us closer to Redemption/ We must sit down and “eat bread”, i.e. thoroughly learn and digest all of what the Torah says a Parsha Vayeishev – Superficial Supernatural Reuben “suffered” from a syndrome from which we all suffer: we are often content with our good intentions and a minimal amount of effort to make these good intentions materialize. We often lack the determination and preparation to facilitate complete success in our endeavors. The Chanukah message is Parsha Vayeishev – Tarmodian Feet One cannot fight rebelliousness using conventional means of education and persuasion. There was no rational basis for the handful of ill-trained priests to start a rebellion against the Syrian Greek Empire. But, a rebel does not necessarily limit himself to logic. It takes chutzpah to do what the Ma Parsha Vayeishev – The Soul’s Metaphor According to the Ba’al Shem Tov all of our material ambitions should never be construed as being no more than just a desire for more material wealth. When we crave physical “things” it is actually the soul using figurative language. It says one thing, but it really means something entirely different Parsha Vayeishev – The Two Components of the Messianic Age Torah is called “Torah Or”-the Torah of Light, because Torah, as G-d’s wisdom, does not “suffer” from the same opaqueness that characterizes nature. Parsha Vayeishev – Upward and Onward Joseph and Chanukah are intertwined concepts. The word Joseph implies increasing in one’s spiritual life. Similarly, Chanukah captures the ideal of “continually increasing” and “rising in matters of holiness” as we add another candle each night