A Changed Family

The family had changed. When the names were listed in Vayigash, the family was divided by mothers: The sons of Leah and the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s maid. The sons of Rachel and then the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid. The order in this week’s portion is changed. The family is no longer divided by Leah and Rachel.

Joseph’s name was listed with the rest of the family in Vayigash, but not in this week’s portion, Shemot. Was it because of Joseph’s absence that the family was able to reconnect beyond the divisions of Rachel and Leah?

Perhaps, when the sons of Leah heard that their father wanted to be buried next to Leah and not Rachel, they no longer felt that their mother was being treated as second best. Their resentments disappeared. When their issues with Jacob were no longer on their minds, they were able to rise above their resentment of Joseph as well.

Now they would survive the exile in Egypt.

Author Info:
Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.