In Parashat Vayigash, we continue tracing Judah’s moral evolution as key to the story of Joseph. When Joseph, still unrecognizable to his brothers, threatens to send Benjamin to prison for theft, Judah offers to go in his stead in order to spare his father’s suffering. This act of obligation and love is a moment of moral redemption for Judah, who has left his earlier resentments behind. Judah’s story reflects the classic American idea that all people are capable of change, that we can commit ourselves to a future that will redeem the past, and that our capacity to transform as individuals represents the potential for the full-scale redemption of our society.
As always please use the comments section below to add feedback and ideas about how you used this study sheet in your community. American Scripture Project is a collaborative platform.