Vayigash

We can educate, inspire and assist another, but ultimately, the only one who can effect any real and lasting change is the person himself.

In this week's portion in which Judah promises the safe return of his brother Benjamin, we look at the severity of oaths and vows, how to know when you've made one and how to be released from it once you have.

Topics include: How Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers teaches us how to reconcile with G‑d, what Jacob was looking for when he was reunited with Joseph, and a numerical hint to Jacob’s rectification of Adam’s reincarnated soul.

In the verse (Genesis 47:23) Joseph tells the Egptians: "Here is seed for you so you can plant the ground," the word for "here" is the same word as the name of the Hebrew letter "hei." What does the letter "hei" teach us about human reproduction?

Pharaoh designates the district of Goshen for the family of Joseph. There the Jewish people build settlements which ultimately enrage the locals who then use this as a pretext to prosecute the Jewish people.

Gefilte Fish shows us a school of gefilte fish and comments on the importance of Jewish Schools.