D’var Torah
Parashat Vayigash places us at the heart of powerful human moments of crisis, responsibility, and hope. The following five themes, each accompanied by an inspiring story, create a deep connection to the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet—a day marked by siege, inner silence, and reflection on destruction and rebuilding.
Moral Courage & Truth
The first theme is moral courage and speaking truth. Judah approaches Joseph and is willing to place himself in Benjamin’s stead. This is a moment in which a person chooses truth even when it is dangerous.
A modern story that reflects this is that of a young teacher who stood before a powerful school administration and dared to say that a certain policy would harm the weakest students. She knew it might cost her professional advancement, but she chose to speak. In the end, her words led to a meaningful change.
On the Tenth of Tevet, we remember the siege of Jerusalem, a tragedy fueled by failures of moral courage and listening. The fast invites us to examine whether we, like Judah, are willing to step forward and speak truth even when it is uncomfortable, in order to prevent the small sieges that can form in our own lives.
Responsibility & Accountability
The second theme is mutual responsibility and collective accountability. Judah does not act only for himself, but for his father and his brothers. This sense of responsibility for one another is a foundation of survival.
An inspiring contemporary story is that of a group of neighbors in a small town who came together to support a family that had fallen into severe financial distress. Each neighbor contributed a small amount, but together they created a safety net that saved the family from collapse.
On the Tenth of Tevet, a day commemorating a siege, we are reminded how division and lack of responsibility weaken a society. The fast calls on us to strengthen our sense of “we,” to understand that spiritual and communal survival depends on mutual care.
Healing Old Wounds
The third theme is reconciliation and the healing of old wounds. When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he weeps. This crying is not weakness, but release. It makes a new beginning possible.
A similar story can be found in two brothers who had not spoken for years because of an inheritance dispute. One day, after a sudden illness in the family, they met, cried together, and realized that their shared pain was greater than their conflict. They chose reconciliation.
The Tenth of Tevet is a day of remembering destruction, but it is also an opportunity for healing. If destruction was caused by baseless hatred, then the fast is a call to mend fractures through genuine reconciliation.
Good Leadership
The fourth theme is responsible leadership in times of crisis. Joseph, as viceroy of Egypt, acts wisely to save an entire region from famine. He thinks ahead, stores resources, and manages them carefully.
An inspiring modern parallel is that of a local community leader during a natural disaster who chose transparency, shared responsibility, and honest communication with residents. Through trust and cooperation, the community endured the crisis together.
On the Tenth of Tevet, we reflect on the siege as a failure of leadership—both moral and spiritual. The fast reminds us that true leadership is measured by the ability to protect life, dignity, and a shared future, especially under pressure.
Hope After Darkness
The fifth theme is hope and growth emerging from darkness. Jacob’s descent to Egypt appears to be the end of a journey, yet it becomes the beginning of a nation’s formation.
A story of inspiration is that of a young immigrant who arrived in a new country alone, without language or family, and endured years of hardship. Out of that struggle, he built community, gained education, and eventually became a social leader.
The Tenth of Tevet marks the point in the calendar when the days slowly begin to lengthen. It is a symbol of hope: even from siege and destruction, a new beginning can grow.
An Invitation to Inner Growth
These five themes teach us that Parashat Vayigash is not merely an ancient story, but a mirror held up to our own lives. Moral courage, mutual responsibility, reconciliation, leadership, and hope are tools for rebuilding. The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet is not only a remembrance of pain, but an invitation to inner action. When we choose to step forward like Judah, to take responsibility, to allow ourselves to weep and to reconcile, to lead with wisdom, and to believe in the light at the edge of darkness, we transform memory into a force for repair and renewal.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Asher Vaknin
BJCC Rabbi of the Bukharian Youth
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