Recap of our discussion, 5 Tevet 5775, parsha Vayigash

This Shabbos we discussed parsha Vayigash, including Rav Yeager’s commentary on the parsha. We discussed the central theme in Judaism, of bringing spirituality to the physical world. We discussed another theme - that we are all part of our community and nation, and can’t exclude anyone. We also discussed from Rav Malamed - the halakhah of muktzeh. David Schlesinger led discussion this Shabbos, and also shared a few stories from his father.

We discussed parsha Vayigash, including Rav Yeager's commentary on the parsha.  In a previous parsha, Joseph is thrown into a pit and then sold off into slavery. We know that Jacob showed favoritism towards Joseph, which led to jealousy by his brothers. Bucky also shared that Joseph may have had a feminine side which was a turn off to his brothers.  But we discussed a more in depth reason for his brothers actions. The brothers were concerned that Joseph was too much into the physical, and that this was not the type of person that should be leading the Jewish people in future generations.

We discussed the idea, that at the time of the parsha, there were basically 2 different tracks people could take. Track 1 represents a life of spirituality, based on the direct miracles from hashem that we have witnessed.  Track 2 represents life in the physical world, in which a spiritual orientation is absent.  We discussed the idea from Rav Yeager’s commentary that Joseph was on track 2.

Today, track 1 no longer exists, as Hashem no longer manifests himself in a direct way and we have to make some effort in order to “see” him.  However, today we have a further division of track 2, into two sub options,  – track 2a and track 2b. Track 2a represents what Judaism is all about – bringing spirituality to the physical world. We do not have to be 100% certain of Hashem’s existence in order to do this. Track 2b represents the track that much of the world takes – which is life in the physical and material world, without appreciation for why this world exists and the purpose we were given.

We discussed how in the generations prior to Joseph, in previous parshas, there were exclusions of family members, such as Jacob’s brother, who were judged to be on the wrong track. Thus Joseph’s brothers thought it was perfectly appropriate and consistent with their values to exclude Joseph, who also seemed to them to be on the wrong track.  The track Joseph was on, track 2, does carry more risk than track 1, but Joseph eventually ended up on track 2a.

We discussed how when the brothers arrived in Egypt for the first time, Benjamin was left behind. It turns out that Benjamin had the same mother as Joseph, and had become the new favorite son of Jacob. Joseph told the brothers to go back and bring Benjamin. We discussed why it is that Joseph was not satisfied with almost all his brothers bowing down.  We discussed the differences between Joseph's original dream and what happened.  In the dream his brothers knew they were bowing down to Joseph, however there was some time before Joseph revealed who he was to his brothers.

Another reason for wanting Benjamin to come to Egypt - was to give the brothers a test. Benjamin was very similar to Joseph. He was the younger brother. He came from the same mother. He was favored by the father. Joseph created a test, to see if the brothers would exclude Benjamin the same was that he had been excluded. Joseph planted some evidence, and tried to withhold Benjamin and put him in jail, to see if the brothers would simply leave him there. 

However, the brothers ended up doing T’shuva and were not willing to leave Egypt without their brother. This time around, they were not willing to exclude a brother who was very much like Joseph. We discussed that the ultimate T’shuva in Judaism, is to be in the same situation as before, but this time to act differently. Seeing that his brothers had done T’shuva, Joseph reveals himself, and invites the entire family to come to Egypt and escape their struggle with the famine. Joseph was very willing to forgive his brothers, saying that it was Hashem’s plan that he come to Egypt.

We discussed how the ox represents Joseph, and the lion represents his older brother Judah. The lion is known as the strongest animal of the two, however David tells us a story from his father, Dr. Rabbi George Schlesinger, about what happens when the lion meets the elephant and gets demolished!

There is another story David told from his father that perhaps symbolizes what this parsha is all about. We are all in a boat and someone is digging a hole. The guy digging the hole tells us it is none of our business what he is doing. Of course, it is our business because the hole will cause all of us to drown. Likewise, everyone in our communities can affect us with what they are doing (or not doing). We can not just exclude anyone, any more than we can exclude this guy in the boat. And this is the lesson Joseph’s brother’s learned, that they can not exclude Joseph either. 

Judah goes on to become a king, and to become a leader of spiritual things, whereas Joseph learns how to bring spirituality to the physical world, and moves to track 2a.  Everyone has a role to play, regardless of what track they are on.  They may eventually get to the right track.   Judaism is an all-inclusive religion where we all rise and fall together.

This Shabbos we had a discussion of the halakah of muktzah. There are certain objects we need to put away on Shabbos. These include such things as electrical devices and pens. The Rabbi’s implemented these rules, because they were concerned if these items were around we would be tempted, or might accidentally use them.  This use would constitute a violate of the 39 types of work. We discussed another reason for the rabbinic halakah, which is simply to preserve a certain atmosphere on Shabbos which is lost if we are focused on tasks such as moving furniture.  These rules are there to ensure we do not take time away from other activities.

We discussed how Judaism carries great rewards however it may not always be easy to observe. David told us about how when he was growing up, he and his father would walk to the Hillel on Shabbos. It was a long walk, and even more difficult in that they would always be going in the opposite direction of all the football fans!

This is a summary of what we discussed.  No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.