Rabbi Yona Mezger - Parashat Vayigash

What’s said in this shiur

The opening of this shiur, in Rabbi Igal Cohen’s own words — taken from the captions, so names and Hebrew terms may be approximate.

Shalom, dear viewers. This week's parasa is parashat. It vividly portrays that deeply emotional encounter when Joseph finally reveals his true identity to his brothers, proclaiming to them the renowned phrase, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? Our sages, they perceived in these words, an admonition to the brothers. So much so that in a midrash Abakoen Bardella said, "Woe to us on the day of Bardella said, "Woe to us on the day of judgment. Woe to us on the day of admonition." Also, Joseph being the youngest of the brothers, his brothers could not possibly withstand his admonition. From this, we learn that Hashem will judge each of us on the day of judgment based on who we truly are. Thus, Joseph's words were seen as an admonition. All ponder as when he admonition. All ponder as when he reveals his identity, he says, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But where is the admonition in these words? Later commentators explain it this way that Joseph is telling his brothers, "You are so worried about our father that if the bond between him and Benjamin is broken, Hashem forbid, then Benjamin must return to his father's house immediately because their souls are deeply intertwined." Where was your concern then 22 years ago Where was your concern then 22 years ago when you sold me into Egypt? So, wasn't our father important to you then? Wasn't he living among you? And so he comes and says, "I am Joseph, and is my father still alive among you? You who constantly speak of your concern for our father's well-being, so the connection between him and Benjamin will not be severed." And what about the connection I had with father? Such a crucial and strong bond, so deeply intertwined. Why no concern for our father, then? That was the admonition.

Jump to a moment

1. 0:00Shalom, dear viewers. This week's parasa is parashat. It vividly portrays that deeply emotional encounter when…
2. 0:32Bardella said, "Woe to us on the day of judgment. Woe to us on the day…
3. 1:33Where was your concern then 22 years ago when you sold me into Egypt? So, wasn't…
4. 2:35enjoy to listen enjoyable stories, but when a rabbi offers admonition, they avoid listening. What's the…
5. 3:05On the other hand, if I were to approach that very same person and tell him,…
6. 4:07upper body and head, yet possess the four-legged lower part of an animal. They didn't understand…
7. 5:09the beggar asks, "Are you going to the big city?" He replies, "Yes, can I join…
8. 5:39"You can get off." He says, "What? You can get off. You heard me. He tells…
9. 6:41dismissing him from his bet midrash in utter disgrace as was entirely justified. Furthermore, Rabbi Yerohham…
10. 7:42students who listened to my lectures at the yeshiva truly understood that these lessons, these admonitions…

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