Vayigash - And He Drew Near
Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27
Reading #6 - Genesis 46:28–47:10
My Thoughts:
Jacob and his sons receive the “best of the land” (47:6). When people receive favor from others, they should get the best. But, how many times do we NOT do that? Do we give them maybe something we didn’t want or second best, or the burnt cookie so we can have the one that is not burnt? I know I do it. It seems like the more I study Torah, the less I do it. Torah is all about loving Hashem and loving others more than yourself. So, we should give the best to those we are serving. Try it, you will be more blessed than if you had it yourself!
Challenge:
Today’s challenge. Think of someone in your family, maybe your spouse or kids that you recently cheated them out of the best. And give back the next time. Pray that Hashem will convict you and really give you the desire to share the best with those around you. When that happens you will truly be spreading the “Light of Hashem” around your family and community. It may encourage others to ask you, “What is it about you that treats people this good way?”
Reading #6 - Genesis 46:28–47:10
46:28 Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph, to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. 29 Joseph prepared his chariot, and went up to meet Israel, his father, in Goshen. He presented himself to him, and fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while. 30 Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.”
31 Joseph said to his brothers, and to his father’s house, “I will go up, and speak with Pharaoh, and will tell him, ‘My brothers, and my father’s house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. 32 These men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.’ 33 It will happen, when Pharaoh summons you, and will say, ‘What is your occupation?’ 34 that you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers:’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”
47 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.” 2 From among his brothers he took five men, and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 Pharaoh said to his brothers, “What is your occupation?”
They said to Pharaoh, “Your servants are shepherds, both we, and our fathers.” 4 They also said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks. For the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. Now therefore, please let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.”
5 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them dwell in the land of Goshen. If you know any able men among them, then put them in charge of my livestock.”
7 Joseph brought in Jacob, his father, and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?”
9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are one hundred thirty years. The days of the years of my life have been few and evil. They have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” 10 Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from the presence of Pharaoh.
