Yehuda's Blessing of Leadership

נמצאו 11 תוצאות חיפוש

Yaakov's Blessing
Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot
Yaakov's blessings to his sons are at the center of Parashat Vayechi. What is the status of Yaakov's blessings to his sons? Are they a wish or a prayer, a division of labor, or a prophecy?
The Fate of the Kings of Yehuda
Dr. Tova Ganzel
Yehezkel’s prophecy to the kings of Yehuda in this chapter is conveyed through two parables: in the first, the royal family of Yehuda is compared to a family of lions; in the second, to a vine. To understand the significance of the first parable, the prophecy is compared with the historical events to which it refers.

This second parable does not appear to be directed at any specific king of Yehuda; rather, it marks the end of the monarchy of the kings of Yehuda collectively. This parable is noticeably harsher than the previous one. The outcome in the first parable is the capture of the kings alive, whereas in the second parable nothing remains of the vine at all.

This prophetic unit is entirely devoid of any mention of God’s Name. The parable does not mention His Name, and – unlike the other parables that Yehezkel uses to convey his messages – no interpretation is supplied at its conclusion. This omission is especially glaring given the many instances in which Yehezkel’s prophecy is attributed to God.

The description of the fate of the last king of Yehuda, Tzidkiyahu, appears as part of a series of prophecies in Chapter 21 that describe the end of the kingdom of Yehuda. The message it suggests is that the kings of Yehuda have been arrogant; they have not maintained, along with their role as kings, their subjugation to God and His charge. They have not upheld God’s sanctity. In this way they have brought about the Destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple.
Reuven, Leadership, and Responses to Guilt
Rabbi Moshe Taragin |
Much of the narrative of the conclusion of Bereishit is dominated by the struggle between Yehuda and Yosef. Yet a third - and more natural candidate- is discarded without the drama surrounding his brothers. Why is Reuven stripped of his natural license, ceding leadership to his two younger brothers? By closely exploring the characters of Yehuda, Yosef, and Reuven, we can understand why Reuven was deemed unworthy to be a leader, and learn about the importance of failure, guilt, and forgiveness in leadership.
Reuven and Yehuda
Rabbanit Sharon Rimon
Why were the firstborn privileges taken from Reuven and transferred to Yehuda? Let us examine two incidents that demonstrate the respective leadership of Yehuda and of Reuven, and try to understand the leadership style of each of them – or the differences between them. This may help us to understand why "Yehuda prevailed over his brothers" and was bequeathed the leadership role.
Yaakov's Blessing
Rabbi Dr. Tamir Granot
The Torah refers to Yaakov's speeches on his deathbed as "blessings": "This is what their father told them, and he blessed them – each according to his blessing, he blessed them," and they do indeed give the impression of being blessings. But the concept of "blessing" is itself somewhat opaque; the question is, what exactly is the status of Yaakov's blessings, and what was Yaakov's intention in blessing his children?

A blessing can be a wish or prayer. On the other hand, it may also be a sort of division of inheritance or roles. Another possibility is to perceive Yaakov's words here as a sort of prophecy or Divinely-inspired vision. Indeed, at the outset Yaakov says: "Gather yourselves and I shall tell you what will befall you at the end of days."

By examining some key aspects of the content of Yaakov's blessings we can glean some insights into their status and intention.
Echoes: The Secret of Sefer Ezra- Nechamiah
Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky |
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah contain specific similarities to events in other parts of the Tanakh. By closely comparing the various texts we can gain a greater understanding as to the depth and real meaning of the messages in Ezra and Nehemiah.
Erev Shabbat Parshat Vayigash - Leadership
Rabbi Moshe Aberman | 21 דקות
What makes a great (proper) leader? We focus on two brothers - Yosef and Yehuda. They both aspire to leadership, both initially failing in their attempts and both later succeeding because they manage to find the balance between ideas of leadership criteria and personal traits.

We begin back in Parashat Vayeshev, where they are at odds: Yosef understands that their life as they know it is coming to an end and that they have to prepare to meet a different reality; Yehuda believes in leaving things as they are until it is absolutely necessary to change.

They both undergo periods of hardship and challenge to eventually realize that leadership is about focusing on others more than the leader himself.
Miketz: Was Reuven a "foolish oldest son"?
Rabbi Gad Eldad
Why does Reuven offer for Yaakov to sacrifice his two sons if something happens to Binyamin - especialy when Reuven has four sons, not two? How is his statement connected to the Yehuda and Tamar story? Is Reuven trying to implicate Yehuda for his role in the selling of Yosef?

And what lessons is the Torah teaching us about the role of the firstborn?
Choice and Change
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
The sequence from Bereishit 37 to 50 is the longest unbroken narrative in the Torah, and there can be no doubt who its hero is: Joseph. The story begins and ends with him. We see him as a child, beloved – even spoiled – by his father; as an adolescent dreamer, resented by his brothers; as a slave, then a prisoner, in Egypt; then as the second most powerful figure in the greatest empire of the ancient world. At every stage, the narrative revolves around him and his impact on others. He dominates the last third of Bereishit, casting his shadow on everything else. From almost the beginning, he seems destined for greatness.

Yet history did not turn out that way. To the contrary, it is another brother who, in the fullness of time, leaves his mark on the Jewish people. It was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people, Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David, Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah, not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Vayigash, as the two brothers confront one another, and Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release.

This article is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Choice and Change
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | 9 דקות
The sequence from Bereishit 37 to 50 is the longest unbroken narrative in the Torah, and there can be no doubt who its hero is: Joseph. The story begins and ends with him. We see him as a child, beloved – even spoiled – by his father; as an adolescent dreamer, resented by his brothers; as a slave, then a prisoner, in Egypt; then as the second most powerful figure in the greatest empire of the ancient world. At every stage, the narrative revolves around him and his impact on others. He dominates the last third of Bereishit, casting his shadow on everything else. From almost the beginning, he seems destined for greatness.

Yet history did not turn out that way. To the contrary, it is another brother who, in the fullness of time, leaves his mark on the Jewish people. It was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people, Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David, Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah, not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Vayigash, as the two brothers confront one another, and Judah pleads for Benjamin’s release.

This lecture is part of the Covenant & Conversation series.

To read more from Rabbi Sacks or to subscribe to his mailing list, please visit http://www.rabbisacks.org/. You can also follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Vayigash: Preparations
Rabbanit Dr. Michal Tikochinsky