Vayigash: A Paradigm of Exiles

Parshas Vayigash heralds our people's first national exile. Avrohom Avinu was already told of it in the prophecy of the Bris Bein Habesarim. Yaakov Avinu sensed its beginning upon his descent to Egypt to reunite with Yosef.

Parshas Vayigash ushers in the very first "national exile" of our people. Avrohom Avinu was told about this destiny in the prophecy of the Bris bein Habesarim, and Yaakov Avinu sensed it beginning upon his descent to Egypt to reunite with Yosef.

There is a principle among the Meforshim that the first time a concept appears in the Torah, it serves as the paradigm for all similar future events. Indeed, our commentators glean profound lessons from this initial period of Galus that serve as encouragement for all future exiles.

Hashem, in His Infinite Wisdom, prepared the way for us: Avrohom’s journey through Mitzrayim was meant to foreshadow our experience, and Yosef’s appointment as Viceroy prepared the political climate to make Mitzrayim hospitable to the Jews—at least in the beginning. Rashi adds that Yehuda was sent ahead to open a Yeshiva to establish a place of learning, and our Sages teach that the Shechina Itself accompanies us into this and all future exiles.

However, we do not only learn what Hashem does for us; we also learn what we must do for ourselves—specifically regarding our attitude toward our host nation.

The Torah states: ואלה שמות בני ישראל הבאים מצרימה יעקב ובניו "Now these are the names of the Bnei Yisroel coming to Mitzrayim..."

Rashi explains that the present tense—"coming"—is used because the Torah describes it as if it were happening at that very moment. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l asks: Why does the Torah use this exact expression at the beginning of Sefer Shemos, after the Jews were already in Mitzrayim for quite some time?

Rav Moshe explains that the Torah is teaching us a fundamental perspective: while we are in Galus, we must always view ourselves as if we are just "arriving." We should not attempt to "settle in" and get too comfortable; we are simply passing through. This attitude helps minimize the influence of the surrounding culture and preserves our goals and values as Ovdei Hashem.

Yosef Hatzaddik also arranged for his family to settle in the relatively isolated land of Goshen. There, they could continue in the ways of the Avos and preserve what they could throughout the duration of the exile.

In our present Galus as well, while we interact with the world around us, we must maintain a "protective shield" to keep our Yiddishkeit and our goals clear and on track.

May we merit the final redemption speedily in our days!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!