Shabbat Vayigash 5776
This week, we’ll try another edition of Breakout Shabbat–for those who want to use the Torah service to discuss the weekly portion, Vayigash, you’ll have a chance to do so in the White Chapel, with Ben Solomowitz as the facilitator. As always, it is best to read the parshah in advance. Click this link to find the JPS translation.
On Ben’s behalf, I’ll share some of the thoughts he had that might frame the discussion. As you read the parshah, consider these questions. We’ll address one of them during my dvar Torah during services:
1. The Book of Genesis is full of family conflict. Yehudah and Yosef are able to overcome their past differences. How?
2. Yehudah makes reference to his father’s fear of going down toShe’ol, a Biblical term describing an existence after life. What is this concept, and how does it align with other Jewish views of the afterlife?
3. What are the ramifications of Yosef’s tax plan for Egypt during the years of famine?
Whether you are staying in the sanctuary during the Torah reading, or joining the Breakout conversation, think about these questions. We look forward to a lively discussion in shul!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Wise
