Vayigash-Rabbi M. Diamond

Drawing Near

Vayigash ("Then Judah went up to him..."): Genesis 44:18-47:27
Haftarah: Ezekiel 37:15-28

Rabbi Mark S. Diamond
Executive Vice President
The Board of Rabbis of Southern California

Then Judah went up to him (Joseph) 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."
(Genesis 44:18)

The opening phrase of this week's Torah portion finds Judah approaching the viceroy of Egypt to plead on behalf of his brother Benjamin. Vayigash aylav Yehudah..."Judah went up to him." Judah was the family spokesman and a man with a mission--to prevent further grief and harm from befalling his father and siblings. Faced with Joseph's test, Judah rises to the occasion to offer an impassioned plea for family unity and harmony.

What was Judah's emotional state as he stood before the powerful viceroy of Egypt? How could he, a lowly foreigner, muster the hutzpah to argue his case before an exalted ruler who had yet to reveal his true identity to his brothers?

The sages of the Midrash explore these questions by focusing on the opening word of the Torah reading: Vayigash--"he went up." They analyze three other passages in the Hebrew Bible to help us understand the essence of the encounter between Judah and Joseph:

Vayigshu venay Yehudah el Yehoshuah baGilgal... The Israelites approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: "You know what instructions the Lord gave at Kadesh-barnea to Moses, the man of God, concerning you and me."

(Joshua 14:6)

Vayigash Eliyahu haNavi...When it was time to present the meal offering, the prophet Elijah came forward and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel! Let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your bidding."
(I Kings 18:36)

Vayigash Yoav veha'am... Joab and the troops with him marched into battle against the Arameans, who fled before him."
(II Samuel 10:13)

The verb vayigash is found in each Biblical selection, yet it has three different connotations. The passage from Joshua describes Caleb's plea to Joshua to permit him to retain Hebron as his patrimony. Caleb's approach is one of humility and conciliation. The passage from the First Book of Kings portrays the prophet Elijah as he is about to offer a sacrifice to God. His approach is one of prayer and supplication as he prepares to bring an offering to the Eternal One. The final selection from the Second Book of Samuel describes the general Joab as he prepares to lead his troops in a military campaign. Joab's approach is to do battle against his enemy.

Vayigash: He drew near to conciliate. He drew near to pray. He drew near to do battle. The Midrashic sages conclude that Judah kept all three options in mind as he approached his brother Joseph. His genius lay in his ability to draw upon the full range of resources and strategies to intercede on behalf of Benjamin and keep his family intact. If conciliation would win the day, Judah was prepared to adopt such a strategy. If a prayerful mood would sway the Egyptian leader, Judah was ready to pray. If a combative tone would secure victory, Judah steeled himself for a verbal battle.

Leaders must call upon complex nuances and multiple options in their encounters with allies and adversaries alike. True and effective leaders are those who know which strategies to employ in any given situation. May our leaders be blessed with a rich array of resources to carry out their responsibilities. May they have the wisdom and courage to know how and when to use them to bring justice and peace to the world.

December 15, 2007 / 6 Tevet 5768