Vayigash 5785

It’s the approach, not just the words. As our Torah reading, Vayigash, opens we find Judah now approaching the vizier of Egypt. Still unbeknownst to him that this royal leader is his own brother Joseph, the Torah states  ויגש אליו,vayigash eylav, and Judah approaches him. 

The Hebrew words and the English translation differ. Once again the Hebrew provides us with the approach, and its more than subtle difference. Up until this moment, Judah’s words are in an audience before an entire gathering of Joseph’s court. But as Judah approaches Joseph, the Hebrew text provides us with what is so unique. 

The English states “let your servant appeal to my Lord, and do not be impatient.” As one reads these words, one might assume that Judah is not just pleading, but also lecturing the second in command of Egypt. From the standpoint of the outsider looking in, one might sense that such a tactic might be scoffed and spurned. 

That is where the Hebrew text differs. It begins, “and Judah approached him.” That movement alone might have been taken as an attempt to assault the leader. The commentary Rashi follows this course of thought, “From these words you may infer that he spoke to him in harsh terms.” Rashi continues in this thought: “In my sight you are as important as the king. This is the literal meaning, but a Midrashic explanation is: You will ultimately be stricken with leprosy for detaining Benjamin even as your ancestor Pharaoh was stricken because he detained my ancestress Sarah one night.” And then gives another explanation that is quite bold: “you are as unreliable as Pharaoh — just as Pharaoh issues decrees and does not carry them out, makes promises and does not fulfil them, so also do you.”

I believe that the Hebrew word  ויגש, vayigash, has a much subtler understanding. It is one of approaching emotionally, that will tear up even the heartstrings of a headstrong leader. Judah’s words have the approach of compassion, empathy, and understanding of the severity of the moment, and a complete soul searching inside himself. 

The Hebrew words state “please dear lord, let me, your servant, speak to you the matter, in the ear of your majesty, and please do not be angered by your servant.”  The word “ear” is not literal, but rather means one person to another. It might be likened to a sidebar in a court of law. One commentary, the Sefat Emet, states that at this moment, Judah approaches himself. In other words, Judah finally is willing to express through not only his words, but in how he couches his request to Joseph. And he does so with a sense of remorse and regret.  Joseph can now identify with his brother and his request. 

The words “please dear Lord,” in my opinion, might not be directed towards Joseph but to God. In Joseph’s world of understanding dreams and their words, he may now see that Judah, is now approaching this difficult moment, asking God to intervene or to provide him with the correct way in which to approach “the matter” with Joseph. 

Judah does not simply state, “this is all wrong.” He cannot change the facts. They are as clear as day. Instead he turns to Joseph asking for leniency because he is worried that his father Jacob cannot stand another trauma on the level of the loss of another son, the only surviving one from Rachel.  He pleads that he stand in his brother Benjamin’s stead. Imprison me, and let my brother return to his father. I am more concerned about my own father and his mental and physical wellbeing than about myself.  And it is that change of approach that finally brings Joseph to tears. He caves in, and no longer stands as the high and mighty leader of Pharaoh’s palace. He too recognizes that he is human, with emotional baggage, and that Judah has tugged on Joseph’s shirtsleeve, with what is a most touching human plea and request. 

It is not only how Judah approached Joseph, but also how Joseph listened and understood with compassion and empathy that makes this moment in the story so moving and poignant.

May I suggest that it is important to not only listen to the words of one who comes before you, but how they approach the matter, that should sway you to understand what they are truly meaning. Joseph understood for himself what was being translated to him and what was actually being said.

Beyond the words, it is important to understand the different nuances based on how you or someone else translates them for you. 

Am Yisrael Chai!
Bring them home now!!!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi K