The Maccabeats – Hasmonean – A Hamilton Hanukkah
A Hasmonean Take by The Maccabeats!
Chanukah Song Part 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YSOZP_M6eM
Sephardic University highlights the key themes in parashat Vayigash
In the parasha, Judah pleads on behalf of his brother Benjamin, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, Jacob travels to Egypt, and Joseph’s leadership of Egypt saves lives while converting all Egyptians into bondmen.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Miketz
Rabbi Sacks writes that in the parashah, Joseph is the object of the actions of others—the hurtful acts by his brothers against him, the actions of Potiphar’s wife–rather than his own. In contrast, the actions that are his—dreaming, running Potiphar’s house, interpreting the dreams of others—are attributed explicitly to God. In this way, Joseph is a unique figure in the Tanakh. The few times when he tried to control his own fate backfired. This is a paradox.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z’l: Vayigash
Rabbi Sacks summarizes an essay by Rabbi Saul Berman on the meaning of the 3 times the verb Vayigash is used in the Tanakh: when Abraham hears of God’s intention to destroy Sodom and Gemorrah, when Joseph claims Benjamin as his personal slave, and when Elijah confronts the 450 prophets of Baal.