Parashat Vayigash is often remembered for its climax: Joseph revealing himself to his brothers. But the parashah is not primarily about revelation. It is about what comes after survival.

Joseph says the words that change everything:

אֲנִי יוֹסֵף הַעוֹד אָבִי חָי
“I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?”
(Genesis 45:3)

אֲנִי יוֹסֵף הַעוֹד אָבִי חָי
“I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?”
(Genesis 45:3)

The Hebrew is abrupt, almost breathless. Rashi notices that Joseph cannot continue—his brothers are stunned into silence.

ולא יכלו אחיו לענות אותו – מפני הבושה והכלימה
“His brothers could not answer him because of their shame and humiliation.” (Rashi ad loc.)

ולא יכלו אחיו לענות אותו – מפני הבושה והכלימה
“His brothers could not answer him because of their shame and humiliation.” (Rashi ad loc.)

This is not closure. It is shock.

Reunion does not erase the years in between. It exposes them.

Tears That Do Not Mean the Same Thing

The Torah lingers on the crying:

וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־קֹלוֹ בִּבְכִי… וַיִּפֹּל עַל־צַוְּארֵי בִנְיָמִן אָחִיו וַיֵּבְךְּ
“He wept loudly… He fell upon the neck of Benjamin his brother and wept.”
(Genesis 45:2, 14)

וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־קֹלוֹ בִּבְכִי…........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)