As Yaakov makes his way toward Egypt, where he would spend the rest of his life, God appears to him in a prophetic dream to offer reassurance.  God promises the patriarch that he – actually, his descendants – will eventually return to their homeland, and adds, “and Yosef shall place his hand over your eyes” (46:4).

"תמשילהו במעשי ידיך כל שתה תחת רגליו" (ז) - את מעשי ידיו הקב"ה שם תחת רגליו של האדם. הידים הן שליחי השכל, ואילו הרגלים מבטאות את כוח הרצון של האדם. הקב"ה ברא את העולם בחכמה, זהו מעשה ידיו, ואילו האדם באמצעות כוח הרצון שבו, הבא לידי ביטוי ברגלים, יכול לרומם את הטבע ולקבוע את מדרגת הבריאה.

The brothers’ preference to work as shepherds should perhaps set an example of prioritizing virtue over fame in selecting a career.  

    Parashat Vayigash describes the moment when Yosef finally disclosed his identity to his brothers, who until then never imagined that the Egyptian vizier was their younger brother whom they had sold as a slave many years earlier.  The verse that introduces this segment of the narrative is an ambiguous one, which has lent itself to several different interpretations: “Ve-lo yakhol Yosef le-hit’apeik le-khol ha-nitzavim alav va-yikra hotzi’u chol ish mei-alai” – “Yosef could not restrain himself in the presence of all who attended to him, and he called, ‘Bring everyone away from me

מהו המבנה המיוחד של המזמור שלפנינו? ומדוע מוצא המשורר את תקוותו בשינה?

Yehuda realized that before locking horns with the Egyptian vizier, he should first check to see if perhaps the situation is the result of a simple misunderstanding. 

A person can receive God’s word only if he looks upon life with hopeful optimism, as a field filled with opportunities, rather than disappointment.  God calls to people who are prepared to listen and eagerly embrace the opportunities He gives them for personal growth and for enhancing the world.

       The Torah in Parashat Vayigash tells of Yaakov’s family’s relocation in Egypt.  When they arrived, Yosef sought to ensure that Pharaoh would allow them to live in the region of Goshen.  He specifically instructs his brothers that when they come before the Egyptian king, they should emphasize that they work as shepherds, so that Pharaoh would decide to put them in Goshen, “for all shepherds are abominable for Egypt” (46:34).

The more respect and regard we have for ourselves, the less disturbed we will be when we do not receive the respect and regard of others. 

מהו מקור הרע בעולם? לפי המקרא, האדם מביא את הרע לעולם, על ידי בחירתו בדרך הרעה.