Bible

God's presence at Jacob's deathbed teaches us that our reactions to the situations in which we find ourselves determine our spiritual perceptions.

Joseph's warning to his brothers not to quarrel on their way instructs us as well in our relationships with our families and the larger Jewish community.

The Joseph story provides us with a domestic model for our national ability to move through reconciliation to solidarity.

Judah's plea to Joseph is a sign of his personal growth and ability to empathize with his father's grief.

Joseph teaches us to use our material success in the service of those who are needy.

Jacob and the Jewish people have learned powerful lessons from the experience of exile.

Joseph teaches us to temper love with a sense of duty and a knowledge of right and wrong.

Despite Jacob's negative experiences with favoritism, he repeats this trait in his own family and home.

Jacob and his family's evolving relationship with God illustrates the complex struggle with faith and monotheism.

The brothers could not speak peacefully with Joseph because they allowed their anger and resentment to control them.

We can learn from Jacob's encounter with Esau to meet others as we would meet God.

Parashat Vayeshev teaches us the importance of ensuring that we enact justice in light of the ease with which our systems of justice can be abused.