Parashat Vayigash 5763/2002
EJD
The Bagel: Reunification. Our reading takes us from separation to reuniting. God specializes in reunifying people, families, and nations. This is shown in the readings:
- Benjamin who was separated by a criminal charge was reunited to Joseph and his brothers by Judah's bold offer (Genesis 44).
- Judah who was separated by a bold offer of voluntary slavery in exchange for Benjamin's freedom was reunited by the clemency of Joseph (Genesis 45).
- The rest of the brothers that were separated in spirit were reunited in spirit to Joseph (Genesis 45).
- Jacob who was separated by distance from Joseph, Benjamin, and the brothers was reunited by his journey to Egypt (Genesis 46).
- The Egyptian populace who were separated from ownership by the severe famine were reunited to ownership by the beneficial policies of Joseph (Genesis 47).
- The Northern kingdom of Israel symbolized by the wooden tablet with the Joseph inscription,which was separated by the Assyrian captivity in 722 BCE will one day be reunited with the Southern kingdom of Judah (Judah and Benjamin) symbolized by the wooden tablet with the Judah inscription by the coming of the Messiah (Ezekiel 37).
There is the most important reunification of all, which is the reuniting of the soul with God. The reading in the Brit Chadoshah explains that act very well:
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6).
Cream Cheese: One's separated states in sin can become united states in God!
The weekly reading for the week of 9 Tevet, 5763 - Dec 14, 2002 Torah: Vayigash Genesis 44:17 to 47:27; Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28; Brit Chadoshah: Ephesians 2:1-10
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