Shabbat Shalom!.
Shabbat Shalom!.
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Shabbat Shalom!.
Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27)
“He sent Yehudah ahead of him…(46:28)
Joseph remains viceroy of all of Egypt, and in this week's
Torah portion, he finally reveals his true identity to his brothers.
As we followed Joseph’s story from the time he was a boy of
17 when he was thrown in the pit by his brothers, until now when he
is the second most powerful person in the Egyptian empire, we can’t
but help be impressed as to Joseph's level of leadership, his restraint
in not blaming his brothers and his genuine understanding of G-ds centrality in the workings of the world.
“it was not you who sent me here, but G-d; he has made me a father to Pharoaoh and ruler throughout the entire land of Egypt. “(45:8)
When he finally reveals his identity to them, Joseph helps his entire family relocate to Goshen where they live out the rest of their lives in prosperity and dignity growing into a thriving Jewish nation.
Why is it that when it was time for Jacob to send someone to establish a yeshiva, a house of study where they could study G-ds laws did he send Judah? Joseph was already in Egypt, he certainly had the authority and the means to establish the most magnificent yeshivah in the empire. Why then should Judah be the one to establish the house of learning that was to serve the Jewish people in Egypt?
From the beginning of this parsha, we are impressed with Judah, whose heartfelt pleas for Joseph to spare Benjamin’s life so that he may return to his father Jacob, epitomizes that of the leader of the brothers. Later, Judah heroically stands up to the man who is second to Pharaoh and puts his life openly on the line inorder to protect both father and brother. This act has a deep effect on Joseph. Seeing the compassion and determination in his brother’s eyes, the same brother who sold him without another thought is the final “straw” which enables Joseph to exclaim, “I am Joseph!” Judah’s leadership role though much more subtle, is convincing and comes forth to argue on behalf of his family as “one of the brothers” not someone who behaves as if he is above them.
It is also significant to note that later when Jacob gives out blessings to all of his sons he says of Judah,
"Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the nape of your enemies, the sons of your father shall bow low to you. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, have you gone up" (Gen. 49:8-9).
Jacob's blessing means that Judah's brothers will acknowledge his leadership. It is interesting that Judah was given the blessing of royalty as well. This honor of royalty is usually given to the first born, and in this parsha we can see what the true qualities of a leader need to be. A spokesperson of his brothers, not the one who forgives them from a high position but one who can relate to them and speak to them on their level.
Judah, personifies the quality of never giving up, as well as epitomizing the ability to change. Maimonides, said that true Teshuvah occurs when you face the same situation you had encountered previously and make a different decision. He believed, and Jewish thought believes, that we can, over time, learn to act differently. In 'the words Onkelos:
"Judah, you were not ashamed to admit (your mistake), therefore, your brethren will identify themselves by your name," for example they will be called yihudim, Jews. He takes the verse "from the prey, you have gone up" as a reference to Judah's part in the sale of Joseph; he began so low but with his actions on behalf of Jacob and Benjamin he has risen to great heights. In fact it is through the merit of his ability to change that Judah’s descendants merit the blessing that "the scepter, the honor of leadership, shall not depart from Judah"! (Genesis 49:10).
The message from our parsha is that although it is hard and may take some time, with Judah as our role model we know that it is possible to make changes. Here is a man who began with a vicious will and evil intent toward his younger brother, but now leads by action and example. It is a true leader who acts without thought of
reward or recognition. Judah reminds us to look for the quiet leader in our midst, the one who serves to preserve the family and the continuation of the Jewish community.
As Jews we are all descendents of Judah may we continue to not only survive but to lead as well.
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
One of the most important, fundamental tasks assigned to Judah was to prepare the Jewish place of learning. Without schools Jewish tradition cannot be passed on. It says in the Gemara that whenever the Patriarchs settled they established a yeshivah and studied Torah. Let us continue to follow this example and remind ourselves during this year of 2009 to give generously to our schools of Jewish learning.
These recipes are versatile,have many ingredients and stand tall as do the leaders among us.
Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
I have made them pareve in case you wanted to add shredded chicken to make a meal.
½ cup margarine(1 stick)
4oz cream cheese (tofutti brand cream cheese)
1/3 cup white wine
½ tsp powder garlic
½ tsp crushed red peppers
2 big portabella mushrooms
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup shredded chicken (optional) you also can add chopped, drained spinach to make it totally vegetarian
¼ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbl. flour
salt and pepper
In a large saucepan melt together margarine, cream cheese and white wine. Add in 2 tbl. flour. Stir constantly until it thickens. Add powder garlic and crushed red peppers
Remove mushroom stems and chopped them.
Separately, saute onion and chopped garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add chicken(optional), chopped mushroom stems and let cook for about 5 minutes.
Add creamy sauce to the chicken and adjust seasoning.
Fill mushrooms caps and place them on a baking sheet.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and broil for 6-9 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy!
Roasted Winter Root Medley
4 large golden beets, peeled and chopped (can use winter squash)
8 pearl onions, peeled and left whole
6 fresh figs, rinsed and sliced in half
3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
5 T. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
preheat oven to 350 degrees . Wash and peel vegetables. Chop beets and place beets, onions and figs in a mixing bowl.
Add the thyme leave, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to the vegetables in the bowl and toss thoroughly. Spread them out flat on a rimmed baking sheet or shallow roasting pan so that everything is in a single layer.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and roast in the oven 40-45 minutes, until the beets are just fork-tender but not soft. uncover if not crispy before done. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Shabbat Shalom!.
