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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5763, Vayigash

“All the souls coming with Yaakov to Egypt.” (46:26)

Rashi observes that although Yaakov had seventy family members, the Torah nonetheless refers to them as “nefesh,” soul, in the singular. He attributes this to the fact that they all worshipped one G-d. Thus, they collectively became one unit. Horav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Shlita, asks why in the brachah of “Borei Nefashos” do we begin with the plural, “Nefashos rabos, v’chesronan,” “Who creates numerous living things with their deficiencies,” and close with “l’hachayos bahem nefesh kol chai,” “with which to maintain the life of every being,” in the singular? He explains that Klal Yisrael remains one – united under Hashem Yisborach. Each…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Vayigash

“It will happen when he sees the youth missing he will die.” (44:31)

An elderly chassid, a follower of Horav Menachem Mendel, z.l., m’Kotzk, came to the Kotzker complaining about his current financial straits. What disturbed him most was the fact that his grown children, whom he had supported with great mesiras nefesh, self- sacrifice, manifested no gratitude. They were all quite capable of helping him in his moment of need. Yet, they completely ignored his financial circumstances. At a period in his life when he should have been retired and relaxing, he was compelled to work hard to support himself. The Rebbe listened intently to the chassid. After he finished his diatribe, the…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Vayigash

“He [Yosef] cried in a loud voice.” (45:2)

Chazal view Yosef’s weeping as a portent for his descendants. They say, “Just as Yosef appeased his brothers only through weeping, so, too, Hakadosh Boruch Hu will redeem Klal Yisrael from its exile only through [their] weeping.” As it is written in Yirmiyahu 31:8, “For with weeping they will come; with supplications I will lead them.” Chazal’s words are enigmatic. If Hashem is waiting for tears, then our exile should have ended long ago. Have we not cried bitterly for thousands of years? Why did Hashem not respond to the tears of our ancestors and redeem them? Horav Mordechai HaKohen explains…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Vayigash

“Then Yisrael journeyed forth with all that he had…and (he) offered sacrifices to the G-d of his father Yitzchak.” (46:1)

Yaakov Avinu arrived in Be’er Sheva, a city glorified by the memory of his fathers. There he offered zevachim, sacrifices. He was  in  the happiest frame  of  mind  that he  had  attained in   his entire life. It was here at this zenith in his life, with his troubles and struggles behind him, that he felt capable of offering a Korban Shelamim, Peace- Offering. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z.l., notes that this is the first time that any of the Avos, Patriarchs, offered a korban other than a Korban Olah, Burnt- Offering. He explains that a Korban Olah expresses complete submission to Hashem….

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5762

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5762, Vayigash

Then Yisrael said to Yosef, “Now I can die, after my having seen your face, because you are still alive.” (46:30)

With these words ends the saga of Yosef’s “disappearance” from home. After many years of bitter longing, Yaakov Avinu was finally able to once again embrace his son. We read about it, but unless one has undergone the travail of almost losing a child and then finding him alive and well, it is difficult to fully grasp the overwhelming joy that both Yaakov and Yosef experienced. Baruch Hashem, this experience is something that is a rarity. There was a time, not so long ago, during World War II, when families were separated, when children were torn away from their parents, when…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5761, Vayigash

And Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?” (45:3)

  Yosef was revealing his true identity to his brothers. The first question that he asked after he identified himself was, “Ha’ode avi chai?”, “Is my father still alive?” One wonders at the timing of this question. During the time that Yosef’s brothers appeared before him, they mentioned their elderly father several times. Why did Yosef suddenly ask a question whose answer was obvious? Each in his own way, the commentators suggest an interpretation of Yosef’s question. In his popular “Maggid” series, Rabbi Paysach Krohn relates a poignant story that offers a new meaning to the question, “Is my father…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5761, Vayigash

“And Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef” … But his brothers could not answer him because they felt disconcerted before him.” (45:3)

In addressing the concept of tochachah, rebuke, the Midrash states, “Woe to each one of us on the Day of Judgment, woe to each one of us on the Day of Reproof.” Yosef was the youngest of the tribes, but when he said, “I am Yosef,” the brothers were overcome with shame at their misdeeds. When Hashem reveals Himself to each one of us announcing, “I am Hashem,” we will certainly be unable to respond as a result of our humiliation. The words, “to each one of us,” which in the vernacular of the Midrash is rendered, “l’fi mah shehu”…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5761, Vayigash

“So Yisrael set out with all he had and he came to Beer-Sheva.” (46:1)

Yaakov Avinu was on his way to Egypt to finally be reunited with his long lost son, Yosef. Why did he stop in Beer- Sheva?  It  should not normally have been a part of  his itinerary. The Midrash replies that Yaakov stopped to cut down cedar trees that had originally been planted by Avraham Avinu. Yaakov knew that one day Klal Yisrael would be liberated from Egypt, and they would build a Mishkan, Sanctuary, in the desert. These cedar trees would serve as the lumber for the Mishkan. What is the significance of these cedar trees and why was it…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5761

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5761, Vayigash

“All the souls coming with Yaakov to Egypt.” (46:26)

Rashi observes that although Yaakov had seventy family members, the Torah nonetheless refers to them as “nefesh,” soul, in the singular. He attributes this to the fact that they all worshipped one G-d. Thus, they collectively became one unit. Horav Yitzchok Zilberstein, Shlita, asks why in the brachah of “Borei Nefashos” do we begin with the plural, “Nefashos rabos, v’chesronan,” “Who creates numerous living things with their deficiencies,” and close with “l’hachayos bahem nefesh kol chai,” “with which to maintain the life of every being,” in the singular? He explains that Klal Yisrael remains one – united under Hashem Yisborach. Each…

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Home -> Vayigash -> 5760

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In 5760, Vayigash

And Yosef said to his brothers, “I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?” (45:3)

  Yosef was revealing his true identity to his brothers. The first question that he asked after he identified himself was, “Ha’ode avi chai?”, “Is my father still alive?” One wonders at the timing of this question. During the time that Yosef’s brothers appeared before him, they mentioned their elderly father several times. Why did Yosef suddenly ask a question whose answer was obvious? Each in his own way, the commentators suggest an interpretation of Yosef’s question. In his popular “Maggid” series, Rabbi Paysach Krohn relates a poignant story that offers a new meaning to the question, “Is my father…

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