Parashat Vayigash

Rabbi’s Drosh

In this week’s Parasha we read about Yaacov (Jacob) travelling down to Egypt to meet Yosef. Importantly, he stops on the way at Beer Sheva to offer sacrifices and pray to Hashem.

Rabbi Noah Weinberg explains that we need to pray, not to inform Hashem of our plans (he already knows everything!) and not to get what we want (sometimes Hashem doesn’t give us what we want and gives us what we need instead). We need to pray because prayer helps us refine and affirm what we want out of life.

So whenever we undertake a new journey or face a big change it is time to pause and reflect and work out what is that is important. As we all journey into 2022, after such a challenging couple of years, hearing our own prayers for the coming year can help us realise what our priorities are and - just like our forefather Yaacov - can prepare us for the unknown journey ahead.

This week another Jacob will begin a journey as well - the journey of becoming a Bar Mitzvah. It has been a pleasure to study with Jacob and I am so proud of the way he has prepared for this Shabbat through the challenges of COVID and lockdown. A huge Mazel Tov to the Maasland and Max families!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Friedler