Parashat Vayigash – Summary

Introduction

Parashat Vayigash recounts the story of Yosef's reconciliation with his brothers and Yaakov's entire family coming to Egypt.
Yehuda Petitions Yosef on Behalf of Binyamin – The Parashah begins in the middle of Chapter 44 with Yehuda's appeal to Yosef to take him as a slave instead of Binyamin, so that Binyamin can return to his father.
Yosef Reveals Himself – Chapter 45 describes the emotional encounter between Yosef and his brothers after Yosef reveals his identity to them. Yosef instructs his brothers to bring Yaakov and their families to Egypt for the remaining years of the famine. Yaakov, though initially incredulous that Yosef is truly alive, resolves to go see Yosef.
Yaakov Goes to Egypt – Chapter 46 opens with Yaakov traveling to Egypt accompanied by the seventy members of his family. On the way, God appears to Yaakov and promises to return him to Canaan. Yosef advises his brothers to tell Paroh that they are shepherds so that they will be given land in Goshen, separate from the Egyptians.
Yaakov's Family Settles in Goshen – In Chapter 47, after a successful meeting with Paroh, Yaakov and his family settle in the land of Goshen, where they prosper and multiply. The chapter also describes how, during the famine, the Egyptians sell themselves and their land into servitude to Paroh in exchange for food.