Vayigash 2020 #2

1Judah’s speech at the beginning of this Parsha may be compared and contrasted to Joseph’s dream interpretations at the end of Vayeshev and the beginning of Mikeitz. In both cases words effected change. And not merely a small change but a dramatic change. Joseph’s words rocketed him into a position in Egypt that did not exist before or since. To go from prisoner slave boy to master of all of Egypt was unprecedented, one would argue miraculous. It was through Joseph’s words that this miracle was able to happen; Pharaoh famously commented “has there ever been a man who has the Spirit of Elokim within him?” The Spirit of Elokim is a term found in the creation story “And G-d blew into his nostrils the spirit of life and he became a living creature” which there is translated by Unkulus as meaning “he became a creature which talks”. Pharaoh recognized that it would take a person with great verbal skills to effect the changes that need to be done to save Egypt.

2Judah has demonstrated his verbal skills in previous episodes namely at the pit and with convincing Jacob to release Benjamin into his care. In Vayigash open verses Judah made the speech of his life. He chose his words carefully. “If you please, my lord, may your servant speak, do not anger at your servant, for you are like Pharaoh.” He goes on to describe the circumstances that they find themselves struggling to find a hook that might convince Joseph to release Benjamin. Ultimately it is the words “how can I see the evil that would befall my father” that convinces Joseph to abandon his plan. Judah has become the spokesperson for his people. In Judah Joseph sees a chance for a reunited family with a renewed purpose. It was words that got them into this predicament. “And Joseph brought reports of their bad behavior to their father”. It is now the redemptive words that will end this unfortunate rift in the family. “It is not you who have sent me here but rather G-d “. King Solomon famously wrote, “Death and Life are in the (control of) the tongue” Prov. 18:21. One who dismisses words as irrelevant does so at his own peril.

3Shabbat Shalom

4Dedicated as usual to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H