Parasha Summary
Parashat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1–40:23) recounts Yosef’s rise and fall as Yaakov’s favored son, marked by his prophetic dreams and the jealousy of his brothers. The brothers sell Yosef into slavery, leading to his descent to Egypt, where he serves Potiphar but is falsely accused and imprisoned. The parasha also introduces Yehuda’s moral failing with Tamar and his subsequent teshuvah, contrasting with Yosef’s righteousness in resisting temptation. Orthodox interpretation emphasizes divine providence—Yosef’s trials foreshadow the eventual redemption of Bnei Yisrael, while Yehuda’s growth lays the foundation for Malchut Beit David. The narrative underscores hashgacha pratit (individual divine supervision) amid human choices.
