|
שבת שלום - פרשת ויגש
|
|
Video Shiur
|
Click play to watch the video shiur by Rav Pesach Wolicki
|
|
News and Notes
|
On Sunday morning, the yeshiva was treated to a fascinating lecture by Dr.
Lee Spetner, a world-renowned biologist, who discussed the theory of
evolution in the context of Sefer Bereshit. Our students were captivated
by his learned presentation, as well as his innovative theories of the
processes that underlie genetic mutations.
That night, the yeshiva held its annual Mesibat Chanukah. Candle
lighting and Maariv were followed by a festive meal, and a short
shiur by Rav Adi Krohn. Immediately afterwards, the yeshiva band
performed under the stars, while the rest of the students and faculty
danced in honor of the chag.
Finally, the evening closed with our annual Chanukah Jeopardy game,
hosted by Rav Scott Kahn. We thank the entire staff for preparing
such a wonderful program, including the large and delicious spread
that accompanied the dancing and Jeopardy.
The yeshiva looks forward to welcoming Rav Meir Goldvicht, rosh yeshiva
at Yeshiva University, who will address the entire yeshiva this coming Sunday.
On Monday, the students will be visiting Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, in
anticipation of the fast day Asara B'Tevet on Tuesday.
|
Seeking the Comfort of Exile
By Rabbi Pesach Wolicki
This week's parashah tells of Yaacov and his sons moving down to Egypt. They moved to Egypt to escape the famine in the Land of Canaan. Ramban (Nachmanides, Spain 13th cent.) describes this descent to Egypt as a symbolic of future exiles.
"The descent of Yaacov to Egypt foreshadows our present exile... For the sons of Yaacov themselves caused their descent [to Egypt] by selling Yosef their brother. Yaacov went down there because of the famine and he figured that he would be saved with his son in the house of one who favored them, for Pharaoh loved Yosef as his own son. They intended to return from there with the conclusion of the famine in Canaan as they said, 'We have come to dwell as strangers in the land as there is no grazing for your servants' flock since the famine is severe in the land of Canaan' (Bereshit 47:4)
But behold, they did not return and [Yaacov's] exile was prolonged. He died there, they brought up his bones [to Canaan], and the elders and officers of Pharaoh brought him up and mourned greatly.
So, too, are we with Rome and Edom [our sages' code name for the present exile]. Our brothers brought about our falling into their hands by establishing a pact and treaty with the Romans. Agrippas, the last king of the second Temple period ran to them for assistance. Because of famine the people of Jerusalem were captured, and the exile has been very long [since then]. We do not know its end as we did with other exiles. We are as dead people in it." (Ramban al HaTorah, Ber. 47:28)
As Ramban describes it here, the exile in Egypt should never have gone on as long as it did. Originally they went there as strangers in need of a temporary refuge to wait out the famine. After the famine they stayed in Egypt. The feeling of strangeness was gone. They felt at home in Egypt.
The beginning of the exile, says Ramban, is seeking refuge in the hands of foreign nations who love us. Pharaoh loved Yosef. He welcomed Yaacov as an honored nobleman in his midst. There is no doubt the welcoming attitude of the Egyptians to Yaacov and his sons led to their feelings of comfort living there. This, Ramban teaches, prolongs the exile. Had they stuck to their original intentions and returned to their land when the famine had ended, there would have been no Egyptian exile.
Our parashah's closing line emphasizes this point.
"Yisrael dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. They acquired it and they were fruitful and multiplied greatly." (Ber. 47:27)
Targum Yonatan ben Uziel (2nd Temple era) translates "they acquired it" as "they acquired acquisitions of land."
Kli Yakar expands:
"This entire verse speaks of the guilt of the Children of Yisrael. G-d decreed upon them 'that your offspring shall be strangers' and they sought to become permanent citizens in a place where they were supposed to be foreigners... This verse finds them guilty for seeking land holdings in a land that is not for them. Did they not say to Pharaoh 'We have come to dwell as strangers in the land,'? At first they only came on a temporary basis as short term dwellers. And now they have retracted their words. They became so permanent there that they did not want to leave until G-d took them out with a mighty Hand. Those who did not want to leave died in the darkness."
During the centuries of exile, no one would have imagined that Jews who would be given the opportunity and ability to return to the Land of Israel would choose not to. The fact that committed religious American Jews with all their financial resources have not flocked to the modern State of Israel is emerging as one of the great failures of Jewish history. Like the early generations of Yisrael in Egypt, we have grown quite comfortable. We have forgotten that exile is an undesirable predicament, that it is a punishment; that we wait in the temporary exile for the opportunity to go home.
The famine in the land is over. It's time to go home.
"May the Merciful One break our yoke from upon our necks, and bring us upright into our land." (Grace after meals)
|
