Parashas Vayigash

Our Parsha this Shabbos is Parashas Vayigash.Here,Yehudah approaches Yoseif,as their communication continues ,from the previous Parsha where Binyamin stands to be taken as a slave and Yehudah stands up for him,showing that Yehudah has learnt his lesson of what he did to Yoseif.
The word 'Vayigash,' which means 'And he approached,' is what HaShem chose to use in this context. The more direct word would have been,'Vayikrav,' which means 'Approach or come closer to,' but in this case,Yehudah's intention was not to come closer to whom he thought was the viceroy ,but to spur Yoseif on, in persuading Yoseif to let Binyamin go.The word 'Vayigash,' comes from the word 'Nigash,' which means ,'to spur on /to oppress/to approach.'' HaShem specifically chose this word as here,Yehudah,being so strong and powerful ,was attempting to use his emotional strength to overpower the viceroy.This time,the viceroy (Yoseif) could not be oppressed,as the brothers had previously done to Yoseif.This time,Yoseif was in another position that the brothers had to respect.This time,Yoseif would not be oppressed or put down in any way.Yoseif's dreams had come true and his brothers were forced to respect him.
Another meaning of these words,shows itself here.The word ,' Vayigash,' can also have a future tense meaning which is 'and he will approach,' which shows that this conflict between Yehudah and Yoseif,would continue at a future time and would only be fixed in Moshiach's time.This is exactly what happened when the tribes of Israel split ,after Shlomo Hamelech's son Rechavam took over and the tribes of Yehudah separated from the rest of Israel. Our prophets spoke a lot on this and prophesied many times about these two - Yehudah and Yoseif's tribes coming together at the End of Days. But before this can happen Yehudah and Yoseif and all the tribes of Israel need to follow G-D religiously by approaching G-D as G-D Commands in His Torah and following Torah Law.This is hinted in the word 'Vayigash,' which , as I said can mean ' And he will approach,' which refers to the End of Days,when Israel will approach HaShem and all will do as HaShem requests.
When this happens,HaShem will show Himself and thus give another meaning to these words 'Vayigash,' for then the 'He' in the words ' And He Will Approach,' refers to our beloved HaShem, Who will Approach us and be close to us again, as it was in Gan Eiden.Then HaShem will speak similar words ,saying as Yoseif said ('Ani Yoseif') , HaShem will say 'Ani HaShem.'
HaShem will introduce Himself to us in His long awaited need for our closeness - 'Vayigash,' to us and watch over us from close as Yoseif watched over his brothers.
The fact that Israel - Yaakov and his family who came to Mitzrayim were entering into a place that was far from G-Dliness, did not mean that they were off the path. Sometimes we need to go through certain experiences to strengthen our spirituality, so we can continue to climb toward HaShem,learning lessons we need to learn,for our betterment . Things are never what they appear to be.The fact that we had to go down into Egypt,was , in reality , another step on our pathway to coming close to HaShem . Yaakov's family entered Mitzrayim with 70 souls .The 70th soul was Yocheved (Laivi's daughter and Moshe's Mother) who was born as they went through the gates of Egypt.Our Rabbis say that HaShem made up the 70th soul for HaShem goes down with us into exile and remains close to His people even when they feel troubled and deserted . HaShem never leaves His faithful ones.HaShem is always close.These 70 souls,like the 70 nations of the World, had deep significance that ,at the time could not be understood.Each and every person that is born and each and every action we do has far reaching results that we cannot see.Only in the scheme of things afterwards,does HaShem's Picture start to be realized and seen.This is the same with all things. When things don't appear to be as you feel they should, look beyond, for every step we take is a 'Vayigash,' a step toward HaShem .
With Love to HaShem, I wish HaShem with Love a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love and to all, a Blessed Shabbos Kodesh with love.