Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ - And He Drew Near
Torah Portion: Genesis 44:18-47:27
Reading #1 - Genesis 44:18–30
My Thoughts:
The last verse of this reading -- verse 30 reads; “...Since his life is bound up in the boy’s life.” What exactly does that mean that Jacob’s life is “bound up” in Benjamin’s life? My thought is that Jacob totally lives his life through his son. That all he does and plans in his life revolves around Benjamin. Is that good or bad? It shows partially that he is a good parent, looking out for his son. But, as we all know, a “helicopter parent” -- one who “hovers” over his/her child -- is not a good thing. It can stunt growth and encourage dependency. Also as we see in future readings, this type of favoritism never fares well with the other siblings. The lesson to be learned here may be to be sure we treat all of our children fairly and equally.
Challenge:
Today take a look at all your relationships. Your family, partner and friends. Do you show any favoritism toward any of them? What does that look like? Do you think it may be a good time to equalize that relationship to others around you? Take a hard look and make sure you are treating those whom you love equally. If you aren't, try and gradually change this. Those who love you will appreciate this.
Reading #1 - Genesis 44:18–30
18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ 20 We said to my lord, ‘We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.’ 21 You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’ 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ 23 You said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.’ 24 When we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. 25 Our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’ 26 We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Your servant, my father, said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 28 One went out from me, and I said, “Surely he is torn in pieces;” and I haven’t seen him since. 29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’ 30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; since his life is bound up in the boy’s life;
