January 4, 2025
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
In Parshat Vayigash, the exciting story of Yosef and his brothers reaches its climax! Yehuda, one of the brothers, bravely steps forward to speak to Yosef, who is still disguised as the ruler of Mitzrayim Yehuda pleads for Binyamin's release, offering to become a slave in his place. He explains how much their father, Yaakov, loves Binyamin and how losing him would break Yaakov's heart. Yehuda’s speech is full of emotion and shows how much he has grown since the time the brothers sold Yosef.
At that moment, Yosef can no longer keep his identity a secret. He bursts into tears and says to his brothers, “I am Yosef! Is my father still alive?” The
ONE BIG IDEA
In Parshat Vayigash, Yehuda bravely steps forward to save Binyamin, showing true leadership and care for his family. This moment teaches us the power of standing up for others and taking responsibility. Yehuda steps forward to confront the man he believes to be an Egyptian ruler, unaware it is his brother Yosef. Despite the risks, Yehuda sacrifices his own freedom for the sake of his brother and father. Yehuda’s actions remind us that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it.
brothers are shocked and scared because they remember what they did to him many years ago. But Yosef reassures them. He tells them not to feel guilty because it was all part of Hashem’s plan to save their family during the famine. Yosef explains that Hashem sent him to Mitzrayim so he could prepare food and help them survive.
Yosef then tells his brothers to return to Canaan and bring their father, Yaakov, down to Mitzrayim. Pharaoh hears about Yosef’s family and is happy to help. He offers them wagons and supplies to make the journey easier. When the brothers return to Yaakov and tell him that Yosef is alive, he can hardly believe it. But when he sees the wagons Yosef sent, he knows it’s true, and his spirit is revived.
Yaakov and his entire family - 70 people in totaltravel to Mitzrayim. On the way, Hashem appears to Yaakov and reassures him that He will go with him to Mitzrayim and make his family into a great nation there.
The parsha ends with a beautiful reunion between Yaakov and Yosef. Yosef hugs his father and cries. Yaakov is overjoyed and thanks Hashem for letting him see Yosef alive.
Candle-lighting: 4:22pm Havdalah: 5:22pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot………………………….. 0
Lines in the Torah ..............178 (34th most)
Pesukim .............................106 (28th most)
Words ................................1480 (30th most)
Letters................................5680 (29th most)
Year(s)................................2236-2238
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
Next Friday is a Fast Day called Asarah B’Tevet (the 10th of Tevet). On Fast Days, we don’t eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. That day was the first day that the Babylonians surrounded Jerusalem, and 2+ years after that, they destroyed the first Beit Hamikdash. Did you know that a few hundred years later, on the 8th day of Tevet, the Greek Emperor wanted the Torah translated into Greek so he put 72 rabbis in separate rooms (they couldn’t talk to each other) and their translations ended up exactly the same!
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ____________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. Over how many years did this parsha take place?
2. Why don’t we eat or drink on Asarah B’Tevet?
3. What – or who – makes Yosef reveal his true identity to his brothers? Why did it have that affect?
4. Research question: Why did the chariots remind Yaakov of Yosef?
5. True or False: Courage means not being afraid.