Revealing Something Deeper

Dec 10, 2010 at 12:26 PM

Parashat Vayigash

Redemption, divine mediation, and messianic hope. These are just a few of the themes gleaned from this week’s Torah portion. However, there are two particularly profound incidents that are worth exploring in greater depth - the emotional telling of Judah’s willingness to substitute himself for his brother, and of Joseph’s later revelation of himself to his brothers.

The rabbis teach us that everything in the Torah reveals Mashiach. This week’s parasha reveals Mashiach in two primary ways: through the life of Yosef, who the rabbis identify as a ‘type’ of Messiah (i.e. Mashiach ben Yosef – b. Sukkah 52b) and through the actions of Judah (through whom we later learn that the lineage of Messiah is passed through his tribe –see Gen. 49:10).

Yosef personifies Mashiach as one who was despised by his brothers, rejected, and left for dead. Yet despite his trials, was elevated to a position of authority and became the savior of a generation. In revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph states in this week’s parasha:

“Don’t be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was G-d who sent me ahead of you to preserve life (Gen. 45:5).”

Like Joseph, Mashiach was also despised by those around him, treated with contempt and left for dead. Yet, his elevation through his resurrection has also brought many people into ultimate redemption. And one day, Yeshua will reveal himself in all his glory to his people, and proclaim himself Mashiach.

This week’s parasha also reveals Mashiach through the substitutionary actions of Judah. In our portion, Judah pleads with Joseph to take himself prisoner instead of Benjamin. It was originally Judah who sold Joseph into slavery. As such, Judah’s sincere willingness to give up his life for his brother Benjamin’s proved his change of heart and caused Joseph to no longer be able to hide who he truly was. Because of Judah’s sincere willingness to be a substitute for his brother, we learn that he merited inclusion in the lineage of Messiah.

The book of Hebrews reiterates, “Everyone knows that our Lord arose out of Judah … (Heb. 7:14).” We have the assurance that our hope in Messiah is based on solid understanding, embedded within a Jewish context.

Our Messiah, who descended through Judah, will reveal himself once again, as Joseph did to his brothers, and declare himself Mashiach. And it is through him that we all have assurance of our ultimate redemption!



7 comments

  1. Anonymous Says:

    Another great post! Thanks! Legos? BTW, you might want go change "bother" to brother."

    Dav

  2. Rabbi Joshua Says:

    Thanks Dav. And the change was duly noted. ;)

  3. +1 for use of Legos. Did you get that from the Brick Testament?

  4. Rabbi Joshua Says:

    I got the image from Google Images, but I guess that is where it's from. :)

  5. Anonymous Says:

    Rabbi,

    Excellent post! I find it especially intriguing the parallel between how Joseph appeared to his brothers but they did not recognize him until he revealed himself to them. To me this symbolizes how a majority of the Jewish people do not recognize the Messiah, but they will gladly rejoice when he reveals himself to them.

    Shalom,
    James

  6. Anonymous Says:

    Yes, it is a very important parshat shavua.

    Too we read in Gen. 45:

    7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
    8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God...

    deliverance - Hebrew: phleyta - this Hebrew word we see in Joel 2:32:

    32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

    Obad. 1:17:

    17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

    What do you think what is difference between these 2 words: pleyta and yeshua?

  7. Rik Says:

    Yes,another good post Reb.Josh.

    And good observation James and commentary.