Yaakov Descends to Egypt
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Ya'akov's Last Bow - A Retrospective Look at the Life of our Patriarch
Rabbi Elchanan SametEvery significant move which he makes is motivated by two separate impetuses: a practical motive on one hand and a divine motive on the other. What distinguishes these two motivations?
The Priests of Egypt and the Kohanim of Israel
Prof. Jonathan GrossmanThis article discusses Yosef's policy in preparation for the settlement of his family in Goshen, and the distinction between the priests of Egypt and the kohanim of Israel
Fleeing and Marrying, Reality and Vision
Sharón RimónWhat is the significance of all the events in Yaakov's life? Why does he face such hardships and challenges? The complexity of Yaakov's life is apparent at every stage. Many things that happen to him reflect dual causality: a human, natural process and a Divine one.
·The departure from Charan is not only an escape from Esav, but also a move inspired with the mission of finding a wife, and accompanied by God's blessing.
·The return to Canaan is not motivated solely by fear of Lavan, but also accompanied, once again, by a Divine revelation.
·The arrival in Beit El is not only prompted by the fear that the men of Shekhem are going to kill him, but also in response to God's command to return to there.
·The descent to Egypt is likewise not prompted solely by the desire to see Yosef. God's word accompanies Yaakov's journey, imbuing the descent with a meaningful spiritual dimension.
Yaakov continues to bear both names, because both realities continue to exist within him to the end. And it seems that it is specifically this complex challenge that is the source and root of Am Yisrael. Yaakov's family is the founding family of the nation. The nation is called "Am Yisrael," but sometimes they are also referred to as "Yaakov." The grappling with all aspects of reality, including its most difficult challenges, while all the time bearing the great vision accompanying the entire journey – that is the foundation of Am Yisrael, the children of Yaakov.
From Breishit to Shmot
Rabbi Menachem LeibtagWhen Yaakov and family depart for Egypt, are they planning to make Egypt their permanent home, or are they planning just a short visit?
Yaakov fears that his departure to Egypt may be against God's will or possibly even a threat to his bechira. The unique Korbanot that Yaakov offers in Beer Sheva are thanksgiving for the reunification of the family and the realization of the completion of the twelve tribes.
God's message to Yaakov reveals the upcoming slavery in Egypt but also the growth of an entire out of the seventy descendants to Egypt.
The Twilight Years
Rabbi Ezra Bickthere is an exact point in parashat Vayigash where Yaakov is finally transformed, almost "reborn," as it were. That point is found at the end of verse 45,27 – Vatechi ruach Yaakov Avihem" – the spirit of Yaakov their father was revived. This is especially noticeable by the change of Yaakov’s name to Yisrael in the following verse. The significance of the sudden change in Yaakov's name is irresistible, and nearly all commentators who remarked on it interpret it to mean that Yaakov's personality was transformed, with the name Yaakov referring to a lower, diminished level, and the name Yisrael signifying the higher, inspired manifestation of Yaakov, nor merely the individual with his personal problems, but the av, the protagonist of Jewish history, the divinely inspired manifestation of Jewish destiny itself.
The news of Yosef restores Yaakov's spirit and he rises to the status of Yisrael, one who will contend with his destiny, with man and with God. He sets out for Egypt thinking that there is indeed a need to contend with what is waiting for him there, and he is planning to assume once again the leadership of the emerging am yisrael. The fact that Egypt is exile does not imply that there is no need for struggle and leadership. But God informs him that that is not what will be. The experience of Egypt is indeed one of passivity, of suffering, and not one of reaction. This is not true only of the period of servitude, but becomes true immediately when they arrive. The house of Yaakov is a ward of the state, provided for by Yosef from the king's stores, totally dependent on royal favor, and hence it is not a total surprise that eventually they fall into servitude.
There is still a delayed role for Yaakov to play, seventeen years after he descends to Egypt, and that is the giving of the blessings. These are not about the sojourn in Egypt and do not effect it; they are about the distant future. But it is Yaakov's final role as an av, as the greatest of the avot, and not surprisingly, he will be consistently called Yisrael.
Yaakov's Dual Descent to Egypt
Rabbi Zeev WeitmanYaakov receives two invitations to go down to Egypt. One comes from Yosef, who invites him to come and live in Goshen, where Yosef will be able to sustain him and his household during the remaining years of the famine. The second invitation is issued by Pharaoh, encouraging Yaakov and all of his household to partake of all the goodness of the land of Egypt. In order to illustrate the dual nature of the descent to Egypt, the Torah makes use of both of Yaakov's names – Yaakov and Yisrael, and a dual description of their dwelling – Goshen and Egypt.
Tosafists on Yosef's Ascent to See Yaakov
Rabbi David SilverbergWas Yaakov Wrong to Talk about his Age?
Rabbi David SilverbergDid Yaakov Plan to Move to Egypt?
Rabbi David SilverbergWagons for Yaakov - Midrash and Meaning
Rabbi David SilverbergYosef Will Close Yaakov's Eyes
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Stop in Beersheba and his Service of God
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Blessing to Pharaoh - the Nile?
Rabbi David SilverbergIn the Land of Egypt - In the Land of Goshen
Rabbi David SilverbergYosef's Zeal in Honoring Yaakov
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Tearful Reunion with Yosef and the Recital of Shema
Rabbi David SilverbergNight Vision and Prophecy of Exile
Rabbi David SilverbergWhy did Pharaoh Ask about Yaakov's Age?
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Emigration to Egypt- Planned or Coerced?
Rabbi David SilverbergRamses or Ra'amses - Rashi and Ibn Ezra
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Description of his Years
Rabbi David SilverbergYaakov's Reunion with Yosef and the Message of the Shema
Rabbi David SilverbergRamban
Part 2
Dr. Avigail RockThis lesson is dedicated to a number of philosophical topics that recur throughout the Ramban’s commentary on the Torah.
Maaseh Avot Siman Lebanim – The events that transpire with the forefathers is an omen for the children.
This historical view of the Ramban is of great significance, not just in the field of exegesis, but also because it has such a clear polemical anti-Christian aim. Indeed there is an allusion to the future in the stories of the forefathers, but the allusion is for Israel’s future — what is decreed upon their seed — but not for others, who are not of their seed.
The Superiority of the Land of Israel
The superiority of the Land of Israel predates Avraham and to the People of Israel. The overturning of Sodom was due to the superiority of the Land of Israel. As opposed to the other lands of the worlds that are managed by angelic representatives of God, the Land of Israel is managed by God directly.
The main significance of the fulfillment of commandments is in the Land of Israel.
Nissayon – Test
The test is designed to serve not the Tester, God, but rather the one who is being tested. The nissayon in the Torah is an opportunity which is provided for the righteous to apply in practice their dedication to God and to earn a reward for this. In this way, they will receive a reward not only for their potential dedication, but for their actual dedication as is described with regard to Akeidat Yitzhak and the mann.
Vayechi: Blossoming in Exile
Rabbanit Dr. Michal TikochinskyYaakov – The Exiled Man
Dr. Brachi ElitzurYaakov's request of God as he is about to leave Eretz Yisrael may point to the main challenge that he faces, and his success will serve as a model for later generations.