VAYIGASH - A VERY STRANGE ENCOUNTER

Towards the end of Parshat Vayigash, Joseph introduces his beloved father Jacob to his boss, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This historic encounter between the most powerful man on earth and the spiritual giant of the era is recorded in just four verses, and mainly consists of a strange exchange between the two men regarding Jacob’s age. Rabbi Dunner unpacks the details of this odd episode, and delves into the meaning of Jacob’s cryptic answer to Pharaoh, as well as a Midrash that suggests that Jacob was punished for what he said.