The Portion of Vayigash
The Future is Already Here
After
Joseph accuses Benjamin of stealing his goblet, Judah approaches Joseph
and, in an emotional and moving narrative, tells the story of Jacob and
his sons.
At
this point, Joseph can no longer restrain himself and he reveals his
identity to his brothers. He sends them back to their father with wagons
laden with the best that Egypt has to offer. He asks that the brothers
tell their father to leave Canaan and to go down to Egypt.
Upon
receiving the news that Joseph is alive he decides to descend to Egypt.
G-d appears to him in a dream and says: "I will go down with you to
Egypt and I will also bring you up…" (Genesis 46;4). And in the words of
the Talmud (Tractate Bechorot 5b), G-d continued and said "And your
sons didn't simply leave Egypt. Each one brought with him 90 Libyan
donkeys (who are especially strong) carrying silver and gold".
The
ninety donkeys are alluded to by the extra crowns atop the letter
"tzadi" (whose numerical value is 90) in the word "mitzraima" (to
Egypt). (Remazei Yoel)
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