Vayeishev Summaries
Vayeishev 5770-2009"Joseph in Prison: The Commentators Fill in the Details" Except for interpreting the dreams of the royal butler and the baker, the period of Joseph’s imprisonment is described in the biblical text only briefly. The commentators, however, fill in the gaps, weaving a colorful tapestry of Joseph’s stay in prison and the challenges that he continued to face daily from the wiley Mrs. Potiphar. link to full |
Vayeishev 5769-2008"'Fressing' While Rome Burns"
Were Joseph’s brothers evil gluttons who were totally indifferent to their brother’s fate, or was the Al-mighty orchestrating the events here in order to achieve a greater good? Link to full |
Vayeishev 5768-2007"The Seduction of Joseph"
Joseph’s attempted seduction by Mrs. Potiphar concludes with Joseph being thrown in to the dungeon. The copious details of Mrs. Potiphar’s attempted seduction of Joseph and Joseph’s resistence, raise questions about the presumption that all of Mrs. Potiphar’s actions were wicked and all of Joseph’s actions are righteous. Link to full |
Vayeishev 5767-2006"What's in a Name" |
Vayeishev 5766-2005"The Vast Majority of the Time, G-d Rules the World"
Although most of us live our lives under the assumption that we have freedom of will, there are times when G-d invokes a divine plan, requiring human beings to follow a preordained script. In parashat Vayeishev, we see the very dominant role that G-d plays in Joseph's life, and the inexorable fulfillment of the divine predictions found in the Covenant between the Pieces. Link to full Vayeishev 5765-2004"A Personality Profile of Joseph"
The personality of Joseph is complex and fascinating. Much of Joseph's future life is determined by his early childhood, especially the death of his mother and the fact that he was favored by his father. How Joseph deals with these elements of his life, constitutes one of the most fascinating stories in human literature. Link to full |
Vayeishev 5764-2003"The Two Sides of Joseph"
Joseph, the child that Rachel bears after many years of barrenness, is an answer to her prayers. But, Joseph soon becomes a thorn in the side of his brothers. How does a child, who is both adored by his parents and loathed by his siblings, develop? In this case, he becomes a Master of Dreams, a father of two tribes, and a viceroy of the mightiest empire in the ancient world. Link to full |
Vayeshev 5763 - 2002 “Judah Emerges as the Leader of Israel” As the natural, charismatic leader, Judah’s brothers abide by his suggestion to sell Joseph rather than kill him. But now that father Jacob is inconsolable, the brothers blame Judah for their father’s misery. Judah has a falling out with his brothers and departs from his household ostensibly renouncing his family connections. He marries a local woman, has three sons, two of whom die after they are married to Tamar. Unknowingly, Judah has a sexual relationship with Tamar who becomes pregnant. After sentencing Tamar to death by burning, Judah, rising to the occasion, admits his guilt and spares Tamar’s life. Judah thus becomes the first Baal Teshuvah (penitent) and emerges as the leader of Israel. |
Vayeshev Summary 5762 - 2001 The two words that Judah utters, “Tzad’kah mee’meh’nee” (she is more righteous than I) when he admits that he impregnated his daughter-in-law, Tamar, changes not only the course of history for Judah, but the entire destiny of the Jewish people. It may very well be that, at least in part, our people are called “Jews” because of the profound act of penitence of our forefather, Judah. |
Vayeshev 5760-1999 When first introduced to Joseph, we are told that he is 17 years old, and a lad. It is Joseph’s struggle to mature and become less self-centered that is the real story of Joseph. Joseph eventually overcomes his immaturity and vindictiveness. He becomes a person of compassion and forgiveness, no longer the self-centered teenager who sees the world only through his own eyes. Joseph now emerges as the bechor, the first born, and the rightful heir of Israel. |