Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Vayigash: Who Recognizes Yosef?

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding comes from Torah (Law). The weekly Torah portion will give us understanding and truth regarding Mashiach, for the Torah testifies of him. Therefore, it is a commandment of the Torah and a commandment of the Master to diligently search the Torah. As we do, we encounter Messiah because the Torah testifies of Him. In Parashat Vayigash the drama and tension between Yosef and his brothers reaches its climax. And then Yosef blows everything wide open, revealing himself to his startled brothers: “I am Yosef”. Afterwards, the brothers rush off to their father to break the news: “Ode Yosef Chai”, Yosef is still alive. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the parasha’s dealing with Yosef, we must pay attention to the fact that what lies at the center of this three parasha drama between Yosef and his brothers is the fact that on one side stands Yosef who knows that his brothers stand before him, while on the other side are the brothers who do not know that they stand before Yosef. This is summed up in the verse in Parashat Mikez: “And Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” What is Meant by “Recognize” According to the simple understanding, the commentators explain that the brothers did not recognize Yosef because at the time they sold him, he was young and...