Shabbat Message, January 3, 2025, Parashat Vayigash

The highly charged, emotional moment when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers is the centerpiece of this week’s sedra. There are a number of lessons that our Torah portion imparts:

1. Allow emotions, at the right times, to guide our decisions, but be careful to examine the greater context of emotional responses, to help move us forward.
2. Allow the will to forgive to inform our behavior even when we have the upper hand or hold the power in a dynamic relationship with family or friends.
3. Allow God in if you can. Joseph recognized all that unfolded was part of a Divine plan. But no one told him so; he came to that conclusion himself.
4. Family – being part of the Jewish People – is important, essential, and a source of nourishment and growth. In the hard times to come the Jewish Family, the Children of Israel, would only have each other to face the evil Pharoah who no longer knew or appreciated Am Yisrael.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bolton