With Vayeshev, the story shifts from Jacob to his children. The tension we have already sensed between Leah and Rachel is transferred to the next generation in the form of the rivalry between Joseph and his brothers, the story whose twists and turns take us to the end of Genesis. Joseph is Jacob’s favourite son, firstborn of his beloved Rachel….
…as well as our own. We are not inconsequential. We can make a difference to our world. When we do so, we become God’s partners in the work of redemption, bringing the world that is a little closer to the world that ought to be. [1] Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Teshuva 3:4. [2] Tosefta, Pe’ah 1:4. [3] Tanchuma, Vayeshev, p….
From Vayeshev to the end of the book of Bereishit we read the story of Joseph and his brothers. From the very beginning we are plunged into a drama of sibling rivalry that seems destined to end in tragedy. All the elements are there, and it begins with ominous parental favouritism. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons. The…
…Sacks and encourage others to continue these conversations with the next generation, as we share the stories and ideas of Rabbi Sacks scholars. Ilana Epstein is Chief of Staff at Jewish Futures, and the Rebbetzin at Western Marble Arch Synagogue. A Closer Look Ilana Epstein now shares her own reflections on Rabbi Sacks’ essay for parshat Vayeshev. What inspiration did…
…veil. Both reach their climax with the words haker na, “Please examine.” Judah forces Jacob to believe a lie. Tamar forces Judah to recognise the truth. [6] Jonathan Sacks, Covenant and Conversation Genesis: The Book of Beginnings, pp. 303-314. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR VAYESHEV According to Rabbi Sacks’ interpretation, who are the heroes and villains of the story of Judah and…
…is constructed to lead us, as readers, in precisely the wrong direction. Parshat Vayeshev has the form of a Greek tragedy. Mikketz then comes and shows us that the Torah embodies another worldview altogether. Judaism is not Athens. The Torah is not Sophocles. The human condition is not inherently tragic. Heroes are not fated to fall. The reason is fundamental….
The Summary This summary is adapted from this week’s main Covenant & Conversation essay by Rabbi Sacks. The story of Yosef and his brothers is a profound narrative filled with important messages. It shows us the consequences of sibling rivalry, favouritism, and perhaps most importantly, what happens when communication breaks down. Yaakov’s favouritism towards Yosef is symbolised by the ornate…
…and the belief that you are better than others. That balance is necessary if we are to be the sunlight that helps others grow. [1] See Shabbat 55a-b DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR VAYESHEV Would you consider giving targeted praise to the people in your life, to elevate your relationship with them and give them confidence? Is it more important to be…
The Parsha in a Nutshell This summary is adapted from this week’s main Covenant & Conversation essay by Rabbi Sacks, available to read in full via the left sidebar Something extraordinary happens between last week’s parsha and this one, almost as if the week’s break is itself part of the story. In Vayeshev, we saw Yosef in prison. Previously he…
…so close yet unachieved. How so? What does his example teach us about what it takes to live an accomplished life? There is an extraordinary moment in Vayeshev. The Torah freeze-frames a critical juncture in Reuben’s life, showing the diverging paths he faced when confronted with a moral challenge. The background to the scene is the early years of Joseph,…