Vayigash תר”מ 5
בפסוק והגדתם לאבי כו’ כל אשר ראיתם כו’.
“In the verse: ‘And you shall tell my father … all that you have seen.’”
The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Joseph commands his brothers to recount everything they have seen, implying that their new perception is essential to the message itself.
דכתיב כי נבהלו מפניו.
“As it is written: ‘For they were startled before him.’”
Their shock reveals that they suddenly perceived a deeper spiritual reality in Joseph that they had not recognized before.
ואז ראו אורו של יוסף הצדיק ומדתו הנק’ כל.
“Then they saw the light of Joseph the righteous and his attribute called ‘Kol’ (All).”
Only in that moment did they perceive Joseph’s encompassing spiritual quality, the attribute of ‘Kol,’ which represents a unifying fullness.
והוא בחי’ התקשרות והתכללות.
“And this is the aspect of connection and integration.”
The attribute of ‘Kol’ indicates the capacity to bind all elements together and to include all diversity within a unified divine purpose.
והבינו כי הוא באמת הצדיק.
“And they understood that he was truly the righteous one.”
They recognized Joseph’s true spiritual stature, which they had misjudged earlier.
ומקודם כתיב ולא יכלו דברו כי לא יכלו להתמשך אחר הנהגה שלו.
“And previously it is written: ‘They could not speak to him,’ for they could not follow his mode of leadership.”
Their estrangement from Joseph stemmed from their inability to align themselves with his spiritual path.
ועתה כ’ עיניכם כו’ כי פי המדבר אליכם.
“But now: ‘Let your eyes see … for it is my mouth speaking to you.’”
Joseph tells them that now they can truly see and hear him, for their perception has opened to his spiritual role.
כי ראו פתח זה שפתח יוסף הצדיק.
“For they saw this opening that Joseph the righteous one opened.”
They recognized the spiritual channel Joseph revealed, enabling connection and understanding.
והוא מוכרח להיות הכנה לגאולת מצרים.
“And this must be a preparation for the redemption from Egypt.”
This new awareness initiates the spiritual groundwork necessary for the future redemption.
ומקודם לא ידעו שמתחיל זה הגלות.
“And previously they did not know that this was the beginning of the exile.”
Before Joseph revealed himself, they did not grasp that these events were the opening stage of the Egyptian exile.
ועתה הבינו והודו להנהגתו של יוסף הצדיק.
“But now they understood and acknowledged the leadership of Joseph the righteous.”
With clarity restored, they accepted Joseph’s divinely guided leadership.
וז”ש ואחר כך דברו אחיו אתו ר”ל שנמשכו אחר הנהגה שלו כנ”ל.
“And this is what is meant by: ‘And afterward his brothers spoke with him,’ meaning that they were drawn after his leadership, as explained above.”
Their speaking with Joseph indicates full alignment with his spiritual path and mission.
Summary: The brothers’ shock before Joseph opens them to perceive his true spiritual quality, the attribute of ‘Kol.’ This recognition allows them to align with his leadership, which initiates the deeper spiritual process leading toward the Egyptian exile and eventual redemption.
