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.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z/l: Vayishlach The Jewish Journey

Why is Jacob the father of our people when it was Abraham who started the journey, Isaac with his supreme faith, Joseph who saved the clan from famine, Moses the great leader…Most of our image of Jacob comes from Midrash, which views the narrative in black and white. Rabbi Sacks cites Deuteronomy 4:25, “when you have children and grandchildren, and have been established in the land for a long time, you might become decadent;” namely, Israel must never forget its past.

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat: Vayishlach From Dust to Stars

Rabbi Barenblat understands the wrestling between Jacob and “the angel” as a metaphor for life’s challenges and injustices, which may leave us with permanent injuries. She cites Kedushat Levi, which describes the name Israel as “moral and ethical” as well as “a mind turned toward God.” The name change from Yaakov to Israel represents a profound internal change, from “heel” to “God consciousness