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n our Torah portion this week, Parashat Vayigash, Joseph finally reveals his true identity to all of his brothers. After putting them through a series of excruciating challenges, Joseph can no longer contain himself. In particular, he seems to be extremely moved by the words of his brother Judah, who passionately begs that he himself should be taken as a slave in place of his brother Benjamin. Judah cannot bear the idea of returning home to his father Jacob in the absence of his most beloved and treasured youngest son, Benjamin, the son of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel.
Judah concludes his words to Joseph, who in his eyes is an intimidating high ranking Egyptian official, by stating to Joseph in chapter 44, verses 33-34 of Genesis, "Now therefore please let your servant remain instead of the youth as a servant to my lord, and let the youth go up with his brothers. For how can I go up to my father if the youth is not with me, lest I see the evil that will befall my father!"
These words of contrition and self sacrifice bring Joseph to his emotional limit. It has now been proven to Joseph that Judah and the rest of his brothers have truly repented and essentially become different people, no longer the kind of people who would be capable of repeating the cruel and malicious act which they inflicted upon Joseph many years earlier. So Joseph, now convinced of the sincerity of his brothers, can no longer continue the charade. He cannot conceal the truth for one moment longer and he can no longer restrain himself. After clearing the room of his advisors and servants, Joseph suddenly states to his brothers, "I am Joseph." And then he asks them, "Does my father still live?"
Indeed, as we know, Jacob is still of this world. And after Joseph has been assured that Jacob is alive and well, he insists to his brothers that they bring Jacob down to Egypt to be reunited with him right away. So they return home to Jacob and tell him all that has happened. After the initial shock and disbelief at hearing that Joseph is still alive, Jacob does instantly decide that he will go to see Joseph, and the entire family will finally be reunited and reconciled.
Shabbat Shalom!
Cantor Zachary Konigsberg
[email protected]
917-696-0749
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