Now Yosef recognized his brothers

(Genesis 42:7)

Tevet 1, 5777/December 30, 2016

"Now Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him." (Genesis 42:7) Recognition, or the lack of it, plays a consistent role in the story of Yosef and his brothers. We recall that the first time a call to recognition is employed is when the brothers bring Yosef's blood-stained tunic to his father Yaakov, and say to him, rather coldly, "We have found this; now recognize whether it is your son's coat or not." (ibid 37:32) This sounds more like a police detective asking a next of kin, and not like brothers inquiring of their brother's splendidly unique and recognizable coat to their beloved father. But of course they are covering up their crime, and by doing so, they are, ironically, expressing their own devastating lack of recognition to the heinous transgression they have committed. Yaakov, naturally "recognized it, and he said, "It is my son's coat; a wild beast has devoured him; Yosef has surely been torn up," (ibid 37:33) and so the tragic tale takes another heartwrenching turn.

A Successful Man

Because of Joseph's steadfast confidence in God, he possessed an undying optimism that transformed even the low estate of slavery into success.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayeshev (וישב | He settled)

Torah: Genesis 37:1-40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Gospel: John 2:13-4:42

Remember me when things go well

(Genesis 40:14)

Kislev 23, 5777/December 23, 2016

"Yaakov dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan." (Genesis 37:1) So this week's Torah reading begins, and it sounds like we are in for a happy ending to our saga. Yaakov, after a lifetime of travails, is ready to settle down with his twelve sons in the land promised to him by G-d, and live out his day, happily ever after. That, at least, seems to be what Yaakov had in mind. But G-d, as so often is the case, had other plans. And far from a happy ending, parashat Vayeshev ends on the edge of a precipice: "But the chief cupbearer did not remember Yosef, and he forgot him." (ibid 40:23)

Jacob the Wrestler

Does it ever feel like the life of faith is a constant struggle? Is it sometimes hard to hold on to God? Learn a lesson from Jacob the wrestler.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayishlach (וישלח | He sent)

Torah: Genesis 32:3-36:43

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Gospel: John 1:19-2:12

Then this stone, which I have placed as a monument, shall be a house of G-d

(Genesis 28:21)

Kislev 9, 5777/December 9, 2016

So much happening in this week's Torah reading, Vayeitzei! Time itself seems compressed, as Yaakov flees his brother Esav, weds first Leah, then Rachel, fathers twelve children by his two wives and their maidservants, works twenty years for Lavan, and raises his own herd before returning to the land of Canaan, all this reported by Torah in staccato fashion, adding a sense of urgency and breathlessness. Yaakov himself, is profoundly effected by this enigmatic time warp: "So Yaakov worked for Rachel seven years, but they appeared to him like a few days because of his love for her." (Genesis: 29:20)

The Ideal Family

Don't feel badly if your family seems dysfunctional. Jacob's family was dysfunctional too, and so were most of the biblical families.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Vayetze (ויצא | He went out)

Torah: Genesis 28:10-32:2

Haftarah: Hosea 12:12-14:10

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-4:11

May HaShem give you of the dew of the heavens

(Genesis 27:28-29)
Kislev 2, 5777/December 2, 2016

The drama of parashat Toldot focuses around the struggle between Yaakov and his brother Esav, which begins while they are still in mother Rivka's womb, and continues to this very day. This week's Torah reading opens with their birth and the subsequent sale of Esav's birthright to Yaakov, and reaches its dramatic crescendo with Yaakov'ssubterfuge and the blessing he received from father Yitzchak as a result thereof, and Esav's exasperated cries of defeat and revenge for his perceived suffering.