Mark Call

The reading from the Torah this week, parsha Vayigash (Genesis/Bereshiet chapter 44:17-47:27) picks up at the last, dramatic, “cliff-hangar,” in the third reading dealing with the life and times of Yosef (Joseph).

And it begins with one of the most dramatic transformations in the Bible, in what Mark Call refers to as “Judah ‘Mans Up.’ And this is demonstrably the first time in history where one human being forgives another.

The Erev Shabbat reading of the finale of the story:

There are again a number of major themes in the study of Joseph, and Judah in particular as well this week, and certainly of a different nature than what we saw previously.

And it starts with a transformation. Judah, the brother who suggested that Joseph be sold into slavery, and then returned lied to his father about what happened, ends up facing almost EXACTLY the same situation, over two decades later, with Joseph’s youngest brother. What he does THIS time marks him as worthy of being the father of THE line of kings.

Joseph recognizes what he has become.

Vayigash: Judah ‘Mans Up’ and Joseph Forgives – Two Sides of the Same Coin