Parshas Vayigash-Summary of the Parsha

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Parshas Vayigash

Pesukim: 106  [Siman: יהללאל]

Haftorah: Yechezkal 37:15-28

Rishon

1. Yehuda contends with Yosef to release Binyamin:
   • Yehuda confronted Yosef and asked to speak, saying that he is like Pharaoh. Yehuda recounted before Yosef the chain of events, of how he was asked to provide information about his family.
   • He stated that their youngest brother was home, and Yosef then requested that he be brought before him. They implored before Yosef not to do so, as it could cause the premature death of Yaakov. “You replied that we will not be able to see you again until we do so.”
   • “When we came to our rather and recounted what you asked, our father refused to send our youngest brother, due to fear that tragedy may befall him on the way. If we now return without Binyamin [this could have tragic consequences on Yaakov’s health as] his soul is interconnected with his [i.e. Binyamin’s] soul.”

Sheiyni

• When Yaakov will see that Binyamin did not return, he will die.”
• “I have become a personal guarantor for the return of my brother, let me then sit as a slave in place of my brother, and let the lad return back home with his brothers. How can I return without my brother and witness the evil that will befall my father?”

2. Yosef reveals himself to the brothers:
   • Yosef could no longer hold himself back and he asked everyone [except for his brothers] to leave his presence, so he could reveal himself to his brothers.
   • Yosef cried and the news was heard in the Egypt and in the house of Pharaoh.
   • Yosef told his brothers “I am Yosef, is my father still alive?” The brothers could not answer him, due to shock. Yosef requested the brothers come forward and repeated and said “I am Yosef your brother who you sold to the Egyptians. Now, do not be saddened or angry that you sold me here, as G-d sent me here to provide food. There has thus far been two years of famine, and another five years remain. Hashem sent me here to support you and give you food.”

Shelishi

• “It is not you who sent me here, but G-d, in order to become ruler of Egypt.”

3. Yosef instructs his brothers and asks them to bring their father to Mitzrayim:
   • The proposition: Yosef told his brothers to hurry and go back to father and tell him that his son Yosef has become ruler of all Egypt, and that he should come to him. “You will be given the settlement of Goshen to live. You will be close to me, as well as your children and grandchildren, and cattle. I will support you for the remaining five years of famine, lest you all starve.” Yosef then turned to his brothers and said “Your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Binyamin, that it is I who speaks to you. Go tell father of all the honor I have in Egypt, and go and hurry to bring father down here.”
   • The embracing of Yosef and his brothers: Yosef fell on the neck of Binyamin, and he cried, and Binyamin cried on his shoulder. Yosef kissed each one of his brothers and cried on them, and then the brothers spoke to him.
   • Pharaoh instructs Yosef to instruct the brothers/father: The house of Pharaoh heard of the arrival of Yosef’s brothers, and it found favor in his eyes and the eyes of his servants. Pharaoh instructed Yosef to tell his brothers to take back their loaded donkeys and return to the land of Canaan. “Go bring your father, and household, and I will provide you the best of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.”

Revi’i (according to most Chumashim)

• “Take from Egypt wagons for your children and wives, and carry back your father. Don’t worry of leaving your items, as the best of the land of Egypt is yours.”
• The brothers listened to the instructions.
  • The presents: Yosef gave the brothers wagons as Pharaoh instructed, and he gave them food for the journey. Everyone received clothing. Binyamin received five pairs of clothing and 300 silver coins. To his father, Yosef sent ten donkeys carrying the best of Egypt. Ten mules carrying bread and food for his father for the journey.
  • The message: The brothers went off on their journey, with a parting message from Yosef, telling them not to quarrel on the journey.

4. Yaakov is informed that Yosef is alive:
   • The brothers left Egypt and arrived by Yaakov their father.
   • They told him that Yosef is alive and he is ruler of Egypt. Yaakov did not believe them. They told him all the words of Yosef, and Yaakov saw the wagons that Yosef sent from Egypt to carry him, and Yaakov’s spirit was revived.

Revi’i (according to Torah Temima/Chabad) Chamishi (according to most Chumashim)

• Yisrael said “My son Yosef is still alive, I will go see him before I die.”

5. Yaakov and family travel to Mitzrayim:
   • Arrival to Beer Sheva: Yisrael and all his family traveled and arrived to Beer Sheva.
   • Sacrifices: In Beer Sheva, Yaakov offered sacrifices to the G-d of his father Yitzchak.
   • G-dly revelation: Hashem appeared to Yisrael at night and said “Yaakov, Yaakov” and Yaakov replied “Here I am.” Hashem said “I am the G-d of your father. Do not fear to enter Egypt, as I will make you into a great nation there. I will descend with you to Egypt, and I will take you out. Yosef will place his hands on your eyes.”
   • Yaakov traveled from Beer Sheva with all his family, his sons and daughters, and grandchildren, and was brought in the wagons, by his sons, to Egypt.
   • They traveled with all their cattle and belongings.

Chamishi (according to Torah Temima/Chabad)

6. Yaakovs family who arrived to Mitzrayim:

• The following are the children and grandchildren who traveled with Yaakov to Egypt:

1. The firstborn is Reuvein. The following are his sons:
   • Chanoch
   • Palu
   • Chetzron
   • Carmi
2. Shimon had the following sons:
   • Yemuail
   • Yamin
   • Ohad
   • Yachin
   • Tzohar
   • Shaul the son of the Canaanite Woman (Dinah).
3. Levi had the following sons:
   • Gershon
   • Kehas
   • Merari
4. Yehuda had the following sons:
   • Er, who deceased in the land of Canaan.
   • Onan, who deceased in the land of Canaan.
   • Shailah
   • Peretz and his children
     • Chetzron
     • Chamul
   • Zarach
5. Yissachar had the following sons:
   • Tola
   • Puvah
   • Yov
   • Shimron
6. Zevulun had the following sons:
   • Sered
   • Ailon
   • Yachle’ail

• The above were the sons of Leah, in addition to Dina his daughter, for a total of 33 people.

7. Gad had the following sons:
   • Tzifyon
   • Chagi
   • Shuni
   • Etzbon
   • Airi
   • Arodi
   • Areli
8. Asher had the following sons:
   • Yimnah
   • Yishvah
   • Yishvi
   • Briyah and his children
     • Chever
     • Malkiel
   • Serach their sister

• The above were the sons of Zilpa, who Lavan gave to Leah his daughter, for a total of 16 people.
• Rachel, the wife of Yaakov, had Yosef and Binyamin.

9. Yosef had the following sons in Egypt with his wife, Asnas Bas Poti Fera:
   • Menasheh
   • Efrayim
10. Binyamon had the following sons:
    • Bela
    • Becher
    • Ashbail
    • Gaira
    • Naaman
    • Aichi
    • Rosh
    • Mupim
    • Chupim
    • Ard

• The above were the sons of Rachel, for a total of 14 people.

11. Dan had the following sons:
    • Chushim
12. Naftalai had the following sons:
    • Yachtzeail
    • Guniy
    • Yaitzer
    • Shilaim

• The above were the sons of Bilah, who Lavan gave to Rachel his daughter, for a total of 7 people.
• The total number of descendants: The total amount of descendants who came with Yaakov to Egypt, aside for the wives of his sons, is 66. Yosef had two sons in Egypt, making it a total of 70.

Shishi

7. Yaakov’s arrival to Mitzrayim:
   • Sending Yehuda to Goshen: Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead of him to direct him to Goshen.
   • Yosef meets his father: Yosef harnessed his wagon and went to meet his father in Goshen. He met with him and fell on his neck and wept. Yaakov said to Yosef “I can die now, after seeing your face, as you are still alive.”
   • The brothers meet Pharaoh and settle in Goshen: Yosef told his brothers and father that he will inform Pharaoh of their arrival from the land of Canaan. “The people are shepherds, and they brought with them all their cattle.” Yosef told his brothers “When Pharaoh summons you, and asks of your occupation, tell him that you have always been shepherds, in order so you will be settled in Goshen, as shepherds are an abomination in Egypt.” Yosef came and told Pharaoh of his father’s and brother’s arrival, and settled in Goshen. Yosef took with him five of his brothers and presented them to Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked the brothers as to what they do, and they replied that they have always been shepherds. They asked Pharaoh permission to settle in the land of Goshen, as they have come with a lot of cattle and require grazing land. Pharaoh replied to Yosef that they could settle wherever they desire, and they could settle in Goshen, and if they are capable, you [i.e. Yosef] should appoint them managers of my livestock.
   • Yaakov meets Pharaoh: Yosef presented Yaakov to Pharaoh and Yaakov blessed Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked Yaakov as to his age, and he replied that he is 130 years old. They have been few and filled with suffering.

Shevi’i

8. Yaakov and his family settle in Mitzrayim:
   • Yosef gave his father and brothers land in Ramseis, as Pharaoh instructed, and he supported them with food.

9. Yosef provides food for the nation:
   • There was no food in the world, and Egypt and Canaan became weary due to hunger.
   • Money is used to purchase food: Yosef gathered all the money in Egypt and Canaan, as a result of their food purchases. The money was brought to the house of Yosef.
   • Cattle is used to purchase food: After the money ran out in Egypt and Canaan, all the people of Egypt approached Yosef and asked him for food, lest they die. Yosef then told them to trade their cattle in exchange for food. So, the Egyptians gave Yosef their horses, sheep, cows, and donkeys in exchange for food.
   • Land and people are traded in for food: After the first year of famine, the Egyptians implored Yosef to buy them as slaves, and buy their lands, in exchange for food. Yosef thus proceeded to purchase the entire land of Egypt for Pharaoh. The only land that was not purchased is the land of the priests, who were provided food by Pharaoh.
   • The people are moved around Egypt: Yosef moved the people from their native towns to the ends of Egypt.
   • Yosef distributes seeds for planting: Yosef distributed seeds to the people for them to plant and grow food in the lands. The people were instructed to give 20% to Pharaoh, and the remaining 80% they could keep for themselves.
   • Yisrael settled in the land of Egypt, in Goshen and multiplied.