Parashat Vayigash In this week's Torah reading we find Yehuda giving a long speech in front of Yosef about the suffering of YAakov in the case that Binyamin stays in Egipt. Yosef, moved by his brother, finally shows himself to his brothers and askes if his father is still alive. What's the point of the question? Furthermore, we don't find an answer to it... Based on Likutei Sichot vol. 15, p. 387.
In this week’s parasha, Vayigash, we witness Yehuda’s approach to Yosef. At the time, Yehuda did not know he was speaking to his brother Yosef, but he began a long and emotional speech—the longest speech in the entire Torah. Yehuda recounts a story filled with deep emotion, explaining that Yosef wants to keep Benjamin in Egypt while the rest of the brothers return to the land of Canaan to their father, Jacob. Yehuda objects, saying this is impossible because their father has already lost one son from his beloved wife Rachel, and losing Benjamin would be unbearable for him.
Yehuda describes how they came to Egypt to buy food and had to answer questions about their family. He emphasizes that their father cannot live without Benjamin and insists he cannot allow Benjamin to stay behind while he himself returns to Canaan. Yehuda’s words deeply move Yosef, and the Torah tells us that Yosef could no longer control his emotions. Overcome with feelings, Yosef reveals himself to his brothers: “I am Yosef, your brother.”
Following this revelation, Yosef asks a striking question: “Is my father still alive?” This question has puzzled commentators. Yehuda had just spoken at length about their father, who was clearly alive at the time. Why would Yosef ask such a question, and why does the text not provide an answer?
Explaining Yosef’s Question
According to one commentator, Abarbanel, Yosef’s question was simply meant to initiate conversation. However, this seems unnecessary, as they were already engaged in a conversation. Why would Yosef ask a question he already knew the answer to?
A possible explanation is that Yosef’s question was not meant literally but was an expression of wonder: “Is my father truly still alive?” He was astonished that Jacob could still be alive after 22 years of immense grief and suffering. The Midrash teaches that Jacob could not be consoled after Yosef’s loss because one cannot find consolation when a loved one is still alive. When someone has truly passed away, over time, the pain begins to subside, but when the person is alive, the sense of loss and longing continues. Yosef was reflecting on the enormity of Jacob’s suffering and marveling at his father’s endurance.
This understanding clarifies Yosef’s urgency in telling his brothers: “Hurry, go to my father, tell him that I am alive, and bring him here.” Yosef himself did not go to Jacob because he believed that G-d had sent him to Egypt to save them during the famine. He saw his role in Egypt as a divine mission and felt he could not abandon his post.
What Can We Learn From This?
The Torah is not merely a history book; it is a guide for life. One key lesson from this story is that even when strictness is necessary in a given situation, one must exercise great caution. As soon as the need for strictness ends, one should immediately transition to kindness to prevent unnecessary suffering. Yosef emphasizes the importance of urgency multiple times, saying, “Hurry, hurry, be quick.”
This story reminds us to show compassion and to carefully balance strictness with kindness. Even when suffering is necessary for a reason, it should be minimized as much as possible.