Summary

This is the continuing story of Joseph and his brothers. The last parasha ended with Joseph demanding that Benjamin stay behind as a slave, while the brothers return to Canaan and their father Jacob. The portion begins with Judah (one of the other brothers) begging Joseph to allow him to remain as a slave rather than Benjamin. The brothers tell Joseph that they are all concerned for Jacob’s life, if Benjamin doesn’t return. The explain that there was another brother who died, and this greatly affected Jacob. Joseph hears this and realizes that his brothers have truly repented for what they did to him long ago. He reveals himself as their long-lost brother.   The brothers are frightened, worried that Joseph will take revenge on them. Joseph reassures them that he doesn’t bear a grudge and that God must have sent Joseph to Egypt in advance so that he would be able to save his family from the famine.

Joseph encourages his brothers to return to Canaan and return with Jacob. Pharoah promises to provide for them once they return to Egypt. They return to Canaan bearing gifts from Joseph and tells their father that he is alive. God calls out to Jacob and tells him to go to Egypt, where he will prosper. Jacob and Joseph are reunited and the entire family settles in a region in Egypt called Goshen where they tend their flocks.

Torah Portion in English

18) Then Judah went up to him and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant appeal to my lord, and do not be impatient with your servant, you who are the equal of Pharaoh. 19) My lord asked his servants, ‘Have you a father or another brother?’ 20) We told my lord, ‘We have an old father, and there is a child of his old age, the youngest; his full brother is dead, so that he alone is left of his mother, and his father dotes on him.’ 21) Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set eyes on him.’ 22) We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he were to leave him, his father would die.’ 23) But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, do not let me see your faces.’

Getting to Know my Parasha

What Does my Parasha Say?

1. What events have led to what happens in this portion?
2. What does Judah do?
3. What do the other brothers tell Joseph about their father?
4. How does all this impact Joseph?
5. When Joseph reveals himself, how do his brothers react?
6. How does Joseph explain why he no longer is angry with them?
7. What does Pharaoh do upon learning about Joseph’s family?
8. Where does the family end up living?