Parashat Vayigash
26th December 2025
Week of 21 – 27 December 2025
Torah portion: Genesis 44 :18-47 :27; Haftarah: Ezekiel 37 :15-28
This week’s Parashah focuses on the final drama of the story of Joseph, who was sold by his brothers into Egypt and became an important figure alongside Pharaoh. The difficult circumstances of his family’s life (parents and brothers) in the Land of Israel force them to seek help in Egypt. To the surprise of both sides, without being foreseen, the encounter takes place, and Joseph, who was sold by his brothers, comes to meet them and welcomes them with an open heart and therefore saves his entire family, bringing them to Egypt along with his father Jacob. The broken bonds are remade.
After Joseph demanded the presence of his younger brother in Egypt and pretended to take him prisoner, Judah, before recognizing Joseph as his brother, offered himself to Joseph to take his brother’s place. We know that it was Judah who had the idea of selling Joseph to the caravans of the Ishmaelites (see 37:25-27).
As seen in previous Parashiot, the accounts of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs describe the real situation of the great families or tribes in ancient times, which the authors of the texts recover from collective memory and order everything, giving it an identity meaning for the people of Israel, while at the same time teaching ethical and moral values, grounding them in the One and Unique God, Creator of all.
As is known, the name of the Parasha is given from the word or expression that opens the reading of the day. And as always, Jewish tradition can teach us a great deal about how to approach the texts of Scripture. On the one hand, seeking to understand every detail, every word, every relationship with other passages, etc., and on the other hand, keeping in mind the rich tradition of God’s word in its oral form, transmitted and enriched by the Sages of Israel.
To give you a taste of the dynamics of the Jewish tradition of approaching the text, I present a small part of the Midrash Bereshit Rabbah commentary on today’s Torah reading. We learned that even the opening word alone (וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ) offers a wealth of reflections that cannot be easily exhausted.
Thus begins the text: (וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ) Vayigash Elav Judah: And Judah approached to him /stepped up to him”.
“Rabbi Judah, Rabbi Nehhemiah, and the Rabbis commented:
– Said Rabbi Yehudah: The verb vayigash implies an approach to battle, as in the following verse: When Joab and the people that were with him approached (vayigash) to the Arameans unto battle (II Sam 10: 13).
– Rabbi Nehemiah said: The verb vayigash implies a coming near for reconciliation, as in the following verse: Then the children of Judah approached (vayigash) to Joshua… to reconciliate him. (Josh. 14: 6).
– The Rabbis said: The verb vayigash implies coming near for prayer, as in the following verse: At the time for offering sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached (vayigash) and said: ‘Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob… (I Kings 18: 36).
– Rabbi Eleazar combined all these views. Judah approached (Vayigash) Joseph with all three in mind, saying: If it be for war, I approach to make war; if it be for reconciliation, I approach to make amends; if it be for prayer, I approach to pray”.
The commentary on this initial verb extends over many pages in the Midrash, and this teaches us how the Word of God is infinite in its meanings; however, this revealed richness is the fruit of the tireless effort of the Jewish people who, throughout history, have made and continue to make this practice their own identity.
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Elio Passeto, NDS, Jerusalem–Israel, Director
[Copyright © 2025]
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