Vayigash                                                                                          Rabbi Yacob Gil

Yaacov did not cry

The family goes to Egypt

The big news that Yossef is still alive, revived Yaacov, after 22 years of suffering- this was Hashem's gift.

Yaacov said :" I shall go and see him before I die". This started the Galut- the diaspora.

Hashem told him :" I shall go down with you and I shall bring you up", Yaacov understood that Hashgacha, the divine will, be involved in the future of the Jewish history.

The meeting with Yossef

Yossef is leading an important Egyptian delegation , he is preparing himself for this meeting with his father, and finally that big moment has arrived.

The passuk states:"He fell on his neck and he cried more on his neck", from these words we understand that only one fell on the neck of the other and only one cried. Who did not cry in this meeting? The Midrash says that Yaacov did not fall on Yossef's neck and did not kiss him, the chachamim say that Yaacov was reciting The Shema Yisrael. This is very strange!

Yaacov could have recited the Shema Yisrael at a different time and not at this exciting moment, when he sees his son! Why did Yaacov behaved that way at this big moment of joy?

This can be explained in the following way: At this big moment, Yaacov did not act as a father but as a "Father of the Nation", this was a reflection of his spiritual concerns for his nation.

Indeed Hashem promised Yaacov that the Jewish nation will grow from the hard life in Egypt, but Yaacov felt that he has to do something for the future spiritual life of his children.

When Yaacov met Yossef at dawn, it was reciting the Shema Yisrael time, this is the time that every Jew has to accept "Ol Malchut Shamayim"- Hashem's Kingdom.  At that time Yaacov exhibited absolute independence, unable him to overcome his feelings which will look strange.

At that emotional moment, Yossef is running toward Yaacov, all his children were very excited, the Egyptian delegation was watching this unique sight. At that moment Yaacov decided to recite "Shema Yisrael ", ignoring the happenings around him. This was a very dramatic time to everybody. His message was "this is the way I will conduct myself in Egypt and these are my expectations from my children and great grandchildren to come. His will is that the Jewish identity & mitzvot should come first, never give up the Jewish values because of external pressure. Each one has to fulfill his duties as Yaacov Avinu did too without considering the opinions of the surroundings "it is not nice in front of everybody".

We have to teach our children not to be influenced by the culture around.

This was Yaacov's contribution for the war against possible assimilation in the future.

He taught us not to give up any mitzvah , to strengthen our Judaism in any place as he did at the time when he was meeting his lost son, in front of the Egyptians, he chose to recite The Shema. It looks like he "paid a price"- not to hug his beloved son, for accepting Hashem's kingdom above everything.