Weekly Sidra: Vayigash (and he drew near)
Torah Portion: Bereshit / Genesis 44:18-47:27
Haftorah: Yechezkel / Ezekiel 37:15-28

Vayigash or Vaigash (ויגש — Hebrew for “and he drew near” or “then he drew near,” the first word of the parshah) is the eleventh weekly Torah portion (parshah) in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. The title comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, “Then Judah [came near] him” (Genesis 44:18). It constitutes Genesis 44:18–47:27. Jews in the Diaspora read it the eleventh Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in December or January. In the parshah, Judah makes a persuasive plea on behalf of his brother Benjamin, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, Jacob comes down to Egypt, and Joseph’s administration of Egypt saves lives but transforms all the Egyptians into bondmen. This Torah portion begins to set the stage for the Egyptian captivity of the sons of Jacob.

In last week’s parsha, Miketz, Yehuda told his father Yakov that he would take his brother Binyamin down to Egypt. Yehuda gave his personal guarantee that he would bring Binyamin back to his father alive. At the very end of that parsha, in Egypt, Yosef claimed his brother Binyamin to be his servant after framing him for robbery.

Note: On the Shabbat the Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person “goes up” to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading. Here are this week`s aliyot:

1st Aliya: Yehuda confronts Yoseph in the aftermath of the stolen cup. Yehuda reviews the past events, starting from Yoseph’s suspicious interest in their family.

2nd Aliya: Yehuda’s final plea, that he would remain a slave instead of Binyamin, triggers Yosef can’t restrain himself any longer and finally reveals himself to his brothers with the words "Ani Yosef" (I am Yosef!). He tells them to not be upset about selling him down to Egypt, because as a result, he is in a position to sustain his family during these years of famine. People see the Mashiach as a gentile king, till he is revealed, and we are able to see that indeed he is our Jewish brother that we lost.

3rd Aliya: Yoseph instructs his brothers to bring Yakov and the rest of the family to Egypt. Pharaoh, having heard the news of the brother’s arrival, confirms Yoseph’s offer. Yosef directs his brothers to go up to their father in Canaan, and bring him down to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt and be sustained by Yosef. Then Yosef finally gets around to embracing and crying with all his brothers, especially Binyamin. Yosef directs his brothers to go up to their father in Canaan, and bring him down to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt and be sustained by Yosef. Then Yosef finally gets around to embracing and crying with all his brothers, especially Binyamin.

4th Aliya: Yoseph sends provisions and transportation for Yakov’s entire household. Yakov is told of Yoseph being, “alive and well and ruling the land of Egypt”. At first he doesn’t believe them, but then he sees the wagons, and believes Yosef is alive.

5th Aliya: Yakov wishes to see Yoseph, but first asks Hashem for instructions. Yakov packs up all his family and belongings and heads down to Egypt to see his beloved son Yosef. Hashem reassures Yakov that the time of slavery and nationhood has begun, and that he must go to Mitzrayim. The 70 direct descendants of Yakov are counted. Remember that the “whole world” that came from Noach was 70 (nations). We now find the same number in Yaakov’s descendants. Their 70 became the Nations of the World. Our 70 became the Jewish People.

6th Aliya: Yaakov sends Yehuda ahead, to complete preparations for the family’s descent into Egypt. Yosef sends a royal chariot for his father. When Yaakov and Yosef meet, Yosef embraces Yaakov and cries. Yakov and Yoseph reunite after 22 years. Five of the brothers and Yakov are presented to Pharaoh. Yakov blesses Pharaoh. The year is 2238.

7th Aliya: The remainder of the Parsha is a flashback to the two years preceding Yakov’s arrival. Yosef sets up his family with the best the land has to offer. Yaakov’s family flourishes greatly. Yoseph’s master plan for reconfiguring Egyptian society is detailed. Yoseph follows the broad outline of his advice to Pharaoh regarding the administration of the 7 years of plenty. The famine must have been of enormous intensity for Yoseph to accomplish his plan in just two years. Although the people “sell” themselves to Pharaoh in order to get food, Yoseph’s plan maintains their sense of dignity and independence.