VAYIGASH (Genesis 44:18 47:27) Previous Page,  Torah Lesson Plan, or YHVH Homepage

The verse in our reading this week, in Genesis 44:18, says, “Judah ‘stepped’ near,” signifying that Judah was prepared for anything, even to do battle. Scripture explains that Judah championed the cause of Benjamin so intensely “because your servant became surety for the lad (Genesis 44:32).” That is why he was prepared even for battle. Then it is obvious that Judah was beyond fear of self-preservation. How could Judah justify a battle against Joseph, putting himself and his brothers in harm’s way? Since Judah had assumed responsibility to restore Benjamin to his father Jacob, it was not enough that all his other brothers would remain together. His strength and maturity compelled him to jeopardize himself for the sake of one young Jew.

This moral instruction is for every father and mother. The Almighty charges them with responsibility for each of their children. They must have mesirat nefesh, or self-sacrifice, even to lay down one’s life for God’s purpose. Absolute devotion and concern for even a single child, to keep the laws of the Torah. Mesirat nefesh for the pure, and entire education of our boys and girls leads to the conclusion of the Torah reading: “they were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly.”

Verse 46:28 reads, “[Jacob] sent Judah before him to instruct (lehorot) ahead of him…” Lehorot means, “to establish before him… a house of study from which hora’ah (instruction) shall issue forth.” Because the literal translation of our verse is “to ‘instruct’ ahead of him…” When Hashem told Jacob to go to Egypt, Jacob first (before him) ensured the presence of Yeshivot (Torah schools). Hashem had promised to be with him, “I will go down with you to Egypt, and I Myself will also surely bring you up again.” (Genesis 46:4) Jacob first prepared a Yeshivot, the cornerstone of Judaism.

The Yeshivot established by Jacob existed throughout the whole period that the Jews were in Egypt, as our sages said, “Our ancestors never were without a Yeshivah. When they were in Egypt they had a Yeshivah with them, as it is said (Exodus 3:16), “Go and gather the elders of Israel.” There were Yeshivots for Torah study even in the harsh exile of Egypt, for Yeshivot are the life of the Jewish people: Da’at Elokim, the knowledge of Hashem is our life force. The Egyptian exile was prior to the Giving of the Torah. Torah was studied then also, as evident from numerous statements of our sages. However, Torah was then studied only to the extent of man’s natural ability. Since Torah was not yet given to Israel, it’s potential was not yet the binding of the upper worlds and the lower worlds, but rather, it was only a personal knowledge base. Refining only the vessel (person) on a lower sphere, rather than allowing the knowledge to elevate the soul to the higher spheres, and elevate the soul’s environment along with it. This ability would only take form at the revelation of Sinai.

The Gamorah discusses whether it is worse to pass a place of bold immorality or, of idol worship. It would seem that passing a place of immoral conduct is harmful because the visual experience may later arouse undesirable thoughts even if at the time of perception there were no improper thoughts. What could be wrong with passing by a place of idol worship? The argument of a harmful visual experience does not apply, because there is only the perception of wood and stone. In fact, however, everything has an effect on the person.

The common assumption, that the present time is not one for Yeshivot, has affected even some Yeshivah students. Some students argue that it is difficult to study properly because they must first assure themselves of a livelihood. Already they worry, how they will support their future offspring. This prevents them from studying in peace. Moreover, they are  concerned about an estate to leave their children, and the search for a livelihood. “Eternal your God is a consuming fire. (Deuteronomy 4:24).” We can learn about this from the Egyptian exile: The very thought of redemption was not even considered. Even when Moses proclaimed the redemption ‘they did not listen to Moses because of shortness of spirit and harsh servitude.’ (Exodus 6:9) Even before Moses proclaimed the Divine assurance of ‘I have surely remembered you,’(Exodus 12:38) they did not make calculations about the future but ‘sat’ in Yeshivot and studied. How much less then should such concerns be considered today! One must learn Torah without calculating the future.

At the time of creation there were 288 sparks of Divinity, which were exiled in creation. It is the purpose of man to refine creation by extracting and freeing these sparks. When all the sparks have been freed, the Messianic era is ushered in. Now, of these 288 general sparks, 202 were extracted by the time of the exodus. This is alluded to in the verse ‘erev rav (a mixed multitude ‘went up’ with them: the numerical value of ‘rav’ is 202. Hence, 202 sparks went up with them.)

This is so true today, when man’s task is much easier than then. For of the 288 sparks which fell, two hundred and two have already been extracted and refined, as it is said, “erev rav (a mixed multitude) too, went up with them.” Thus there remained but eighty-six more sparks. This is the numerical equivalent of the Divine name Elohim, and this Name of Hashem represents His attribute of nature, order, law and structure. In other words this Name, Elohim, is His shield or disguise, and when we slowly liberate these sparks, in turn they will diminish the concept of the attribute of Elohim, and bring to the realization the true Divinity within the disguise of nature, order, law and structure. Many of these have already been extracted, through a great deal of Jewish effort.

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