Leah’s Blog Parashat Vayigash 2025
Parshat Vayigahsh – December 2025 – Leah’s BLOG
It all begins and ends here – right outside our window. These same mountains- this same place that is the territory of Yosef. At times the view seems intimate like only I can know it being so close to it, yet there are times it appears metaphysical- this is where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs lived their personal lives. There are situation stories like that of Dina taken beyond the sagging stone wall of Shechem. There is implication to a place. The meaning here repeats itself it a stark red sign that says in three languages- “Israelis and Jews not allowed” at the entrance to the city: as Yosef was sold not far from here after seeking his brothers. The physical landscape of Eretz Shechem is a clean division of blessing and curse, of a double portion- a flipside reality. The inner world of what transpired here makes the vista for me. I disappear here and give over to the sense of the past taking over me, transcending reality at this moment. Intertwined with the very saga of Yosef- the voluptuous mountains and hidden dales offer a deeper meaning. More than anything though, time here on this land has seen changes- most of all- it has come to life.
One of hardest things I have yet to perfect is patience. This story teaches it.
Yosef and Zion are the same gematria.
Even on the same day Yosef is born his father has an epiphany. It is time to go home. “Now it came to pass after Rachel had given birth to Yosef that Yaakov said to Lavan, ” Send me away that I may go to my own place, to my own country.”. Mirroring a later prophecy of Ezekiel 36:24 “Hashem will gather Israel from the nations and bring them back to their land.” The theme of exile and return repeats itself to this day.
The family of Yaakov make it to Eretz Yisrael, this is when the Yosef saga begins. The land that was promised to Abraham Isaac and Yaakov is designated for a mission to a specific family that becomes a nation. Obediently they go through trials here. After years of challenges and misfortune they are hit with the heart wrenching sale of Yosef at the hands of his own brothers. We take a deep breath as we turn every page of this story. Years pass- Yosef is sold- his brothers sit down to eat bread. There suddenly IS NO BREAD to eat. A famine for bread and a famine for their brother takes place. Even the baker in Egypt will not survive for there is only one who delivers the bread and that is Yosef. Yaakov sends honey and nuts (they are not starving) but yearns for the bread, yearns for his son.
Suddenly I understand why it takes so long to reach the meal on Passover- it is all about patience, like when bread rises. But after a new king takes over Egypt who did not know Yosef, bread turns into the very food of affliction. The nation grew in numbers yet they barely remembered Yosef. Those who got out at the exodus held a piece of burnt matzoh in their hands- the sands in the hourglass had run out. Now it is time to run.
The bones of Yosef are carried for forty years through the desert till they reach the other side, to Zion, to the mountains of the blessing and the curse. Now Zionism begins with the baking of the first matzot in the land. The mahn ceases to fall. Soon, after Pesach when bread is made- two challot are formed and placed on the Shabbat table representing the return to Yosef who is eventually buried in the plot of Land his father bought in the valley of Shechem in that cleavage of space between these two mountains- Gerizzim and Eval, indicating the even cut of the two territories of Efrayim and Menashe.
This story is about the faith and dedication of Yosef Hatzaddik- only he is called the Tzaddik. He teaches us about weathering out unfolding trials and false accusations (much like today when Jewish settlers are portrayed as the villains)- we are the ones bringing restoration to the heart of Israel and actually getting it ready for the time to come. This is a story about human flaws and anguish experienced yet never once do we hear a blame game. Progressing forward now, time is fleeting, the truth always surfaces for those who are willing to sweat while making bread and to persevere in the truth.
Now we return to Mama Rachel buried in the House of Bread (Beit Lechem)-
We meet you in the Land. Return to Zion.
Shabbat shalom to all of our dear friends- xoxoxox Leah
As the end of the fiscal year nears:
We at Friends of Itamar, greatly appreciate your kind assistance, your care and support for our community located in the heart of Eretz Yisrael. Right now, more than ever before, the vital mission of holding down and securing the vital assets of our heritage, the Land of Avraham Yitzchak and Yaakov are critical for Israel and all of Am Yisrael wherever they may be. Our mission in preserving our ancient legacy takes a turn as we here are being threatened by hostile forces that surround us as too antisemitism rises in the world. The most important thing now is to ensure that the heart of Israel remains in our hands forever.
This can only be done by settling the land and bringing to fruition the prophecies predicted for this very time. Thank God we are making great progress by working together with people like you who share our dream to continue to strengthen Judea and Samaria the backbone of Israel! The future of Israel depends on it!
For those interested in donating please see this link: https://touritamarsupportisrael.com/donate/
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