When Compassion Is Misplaced

A Taste of Text—Vayigash

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When Compassion Is Misplaced: A Taste of Text—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.

Handouts:	Vayigash
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Reunion of Jacob and Joseph, Joseph Reveals Himself to his Brothers, Vayigash

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Chana Weisberg is host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast and curator of advanced learning experiences on Chabad.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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5 Comments

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David Mesa, Az December 12, 2022

Liked alot. Learned much as always. Reply

Carlos Davila January 3, 2020

Excellent discussion! Todah Rabah. Reply

Sylvia U.K. January 3, 2016

Ruth I agree with Ruth, compassion is being able to walk a mile in another persons shoes.

Thank you, for the information on Ruth, this is helpful.

We also need to remember Lot's wife, who turned into a pillar of salt due to looking back with compassion. We can only but help and guide so far along the path, however, there comes a time when we have to take personal action and responsibility to follow Torah teaching without our hand being held or holding another's hand. Reply

Anonymous December 5, 2013

Chassidic Masters Hi, I really love A Taste of Text!
Are you able to share the source that suggests that Yaacov said Shema when meeting Yoseph, channeling his emotions with thanks to G-d.

Which Chassidic Masters are you referring to?

Thanks. Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, ma December 28, 2011

ruthless/ruth less and a story about LOVE I think we wallow in self-pity, not compassion.
I believe the true compass in life, our true North exists in compassion, in finding empathy, that path, that places us square in the shoes of another, and that this is why we read books, as a truly good story places us in those shoes, and we also learn by traversing the road of the protagonists we identify with, as they so often conquer whatever is their stumbling block.

That's why we enjoy great movies, as the road traveled by another, if we can identify, teaches us about routes and our own deep angst, is often alleviated, by also realizing we're all in this together, a mystery story, containing both ",mysery" and also My Story.

To act with compassion, is what we're all supposed to be learning, because that is the deepest meaning of ruah, soul. And I think it's not random that The Book of Ruth also contains the lineage of the Messiah, because to have ruth, a word not in the English dictionary, is about SOUL , but there's "ruth less". Reply

A Taste of Text

Each 20-minute video class uses a text from the weekly Torah portion to convey a contemporary insight on leading a more enriched life. Source sheets are included to help students follow along and gain a "taste" of the actual texts studied.

When Compassion Is Misplaced: A Taste of Text—Vayigash

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