Page 1 - AnnouncementsMONdayDec26

Parshat Vayigash December 31, 2022 30 Kislev, 5783
Rabbi Sacks on Vayigash

TORAH In his introduction to the Hebrew Bible where [vayigash] to him and
ARTSCROLL 250 the Rabbinical Council the word Vayigash, “and said: Please, my lord,
HERTZ 169 of America’s version of he drew close,” is used in let your servant speak
a word to my
the Artscroll Siddur,
Rabbi Saul Berman has connection with prayer. lord” (Gen. 44:18).
HAFTORAH a lovely essay on the The first is the moment
ARTSCROLL 1144 opening word of today’s when Abraham hears of The third appears in
HERTZ 178 sedra, Vayigash, “And God’s intention to destroy the great
he drew close.” Because Sodom and Gemorah and confrontation at

the work is not widely the cities of the plain. Mount Carmel
Times available outside “Abraham approached between the Prophet
(Monday Edition) America, I summarise [vayigash] and said: Will Elijah and the 450
the essay here. You sweep away the false prophets of Baal.
Week of 12/25 righteous with the Elijah proposes a test.
It is our custom to take wicked? . . . Shall the Let each side prepare
Mon 6:30/7:45am three steps forward Judge of all the earth not a sacrifice and call on
Tue/Wed/Fri 6:45/7:45am before beginning the do justice?” (Gen. 18:23- the name of their
Thur 6:35/7:45am Amidah, the “standing 25). deity. The one that
prayer.” These steps sends fire is the true
Mincha 4:20pm
symbolise a formal The second occurs in God. The 450
Shabbat 12/31 approach to the Divine today’s sedra. Joseph’s prophets do so. They
presence. It is as if we silver goblet has been prepare the sacrifice
Candle Lighting 4:19pm had been ushered into found in Benjamin’s sack. and ask Baal to send
the innermost chamber Joseph – whose true fire. Nothing happens.
Mincha 4:20pm
of the palace, and we identity is still unknown They cry all day,
Hashkama 8:00am
“draw close” to present to the brothers – says shouting, gyrating,
Parsha Shiur 8:30am our petition to the that Benjamin will now lacerating themselves
Main 9:00am supreme King of kings. be held as his slave. The and working
R. Eleazar ben Judah others may go free. themselves into a
Youth 9:00am
(c.1165-c.1230), author Judah, having given frenzy but no fire
Beit Midrash 9:15am
of the Sefer Rokeach, Jacob his personal comes. Then “Elijah
Gemara Shiur 3:45pm made the fascinating guarantee of Benjamin’s stepped forward
Mincha 4:15pm suggestion that these safe return, now pleads [vayigash] and
three steps correspond for his release. “Then prayed: O Lord, God
Shabbat Ends 5:28pm
to the three times in Judah drew close of Abraham, Isaac
Bima Flowers are Sponsored By
Latest Times for
Shema/Shemoneh Esrei Ellen & Mitchell Siegel
in memory of her mother Blanche Givner, z”l
December 31 9:38/10:25am - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
January 7 9:40/10:27am Seudah Shlishit is Sponsored by Kourosh Gouyghadosh
In Memory of his father
Yehezkel ben Shalom Hakohen, z”l