4:30 pm Mincha followed by Drasha & ArvitParasha Vayigash
Saturday December 23, 20178:44 am (9:24 am GRA) Latest time for shema8:45 am Baruch Shamar9:30 am Torah10:15 am Drasha by Rabbi Yisraeli
10:45 am Kiddush has been sponsored by Yaakov Moshe and Yitzhak Yisraeli for finishing Bava Kamma. Mazal Tov!
4:10 pm Mincha at our Kenisa
4:35 pm Seudah Shilishit5:20 pm Arvit5:34 pm Shabbat Ends6:30 pm Avuot U'banim with falafels
Sunday7:00 am Learning with Rabbi Yisraeli8:15 am Shaharit followed by shiur and breakfast
Monday & Thursday6:00 am Personal Growth Studies6:30 am Shaharit followed by shiur and breakfastTuesday, Wednesday & Friday6:00 am Personal Growth Studies6:45 am Shaharit followed by shiur and breakfast
Thursday December 28, 2017Fast of Tenth of Tevet begins at 5:38 am & ends 5:32 pm.
4:15 pm Mincha on Thursday
Weekly Mincha & Arvit will be at 4:30
PARASHA1st Aliya: Yehuda confronts Yoseph in the aftermath of the stolen chalice. Yehuda reviews the past events, starting from Yoseph's suspicious interest in their family.2nd Aliya: Yehuda's final plea, that he would remain a slave instead of Binyamin, triggers Yoseph to reveal himself. Yoseph mitigates his brother's shock and obvious shame by explaining to them the hidden hand of Hashem in all that had occurred.3rd Aliya: Yoseph instructs his brothers to bring Yaakov and the rest of the family to Egypt. Pharaoh, having heard the news of the brother's arrival, confirms Yoseph's offer.4th Aliya: Yoseph sends provisions and transportation for Yaakov's entire household. Yaakov is told of Yoseph being, "alive and well and ruling the land of Egypt".5th Aliya: Yaakov wishes to see Yoseph, but first asks Hashem for instructions. Hashem reassures Yaakov that the time of slavery and nationhood has begun, and that he must go to Mitzrayim. The 70 direct descendants of Yaakov are counted.6th Aliya: Yaakov and Yoseph reunite after 22 years. Five of the brothers and Yaakov are presented to Pharaoh. Yaakov blesses Pharaoh. The year is 2238.7th Aliya: The remainder of the Parasha is a flashback to the two years preceding Yaakov's arrival. Yoseph's master plan for reconfiguring Egyptian society is detailed. Yoseph follows the broad outline of his advice to Pharaoh regarding the administration of the 7 years of plenty. The famine must have been of enormous intensity for Yoseph to accomplish his plan in just two years. Although the people "sell" themselves to Pharaoh in order to get food, Yoseph's plan maintains their sense of dignity and independence.
HAFTARAHIn the year 2964 – 797 b.c.e, following the death of Shlomo Hamelech, the nation was divided between Rechavam ben Shlomo and Yarovam ben Nevat. Rechavam ruled over Yehudah and Binyamin, and Yarovam ruled over the other 10 Tribes. Rechavam was a direct descendant of Dovid Hamelech, and Yarovam was a descendent of Ephrayim. In this week's Haftarah, Yechezkel Hanavi prophesied the time when the divided kingdom's of Yehudah and Yisrael would unite beneath the single banner of the family of King David.The connection to our Parasha is obvious. Our Parasha begins with a confrontation between Yehuda and Yoseph. Both were destined to be Kings over the Jewish people. However, Yoseph's reign was limited to necessity and circumstance while Yehuda's would be as eternal as the Jews themselves.It is important to note that the close relationship between Yehuda and Binyamin, even though they were not from the same mothers, was maintained throughout history. It gives additional meaning to the Rashi on pasuk 40:14 that explains why Yoseph and Binyamin cried for each other at the time of their reunion. Rashi explains that the tears were for the eventual destruction of the Mishkan and the Bet Hamikdash. In truth, the removal of Hashem's presence from our midst occurs when there is hatred and divisiveness. The Tribe of Binyamin should have been closest to Ephrayim and Menashe. Instead, the division of the Land placed Yehudah closest to Binyamin, allowing for a singular unity between the two tribes that would allow them to share the actual structure of the Bet Hamikdash. It was as if Hashem was telling us that Yehuda's willingness to sacrifice for Binyamin at the beginning of Parashat Vayigash is the kind of unity that will maintain Hashem's presence in our midst.The coming of Mashiach can only happen when a divided nation reunites. May it happen soon, and in our life times!
