The Light of Moshiach

While everyone in Yaakov's family was absorbed in sorrow, Hashem was already preparing the light of Moshiach through Yehudah and Tamar.

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Why does the Torah break off the story of Yosef to tell of Yehudah and Tamar? The Midrash answers with a verse from Yirmeyahu: I know the thoughts that I think for you. The brothers were busy with the sale of Yosef, Yosef with his sackcloth and fasting, Reuven with his, and Yaakov with his. Yehudah was busy taking a wife. And Hashem was busy creating the light of the king Moshiach. Before the first oppressor of Israel was born, the final redeemer was already on his way. The Midrash adds that ruach hakodesh shone in Tamar when she asked for the pledge. The seal was kingship, the cord was the Sanhedrin, and the staff was Moshiach, the staff that will come forth from the stump of Yishai. In the darkest chapter of the family, Tamar was holding the future in her hands.

Source: Midrash Bereishis Rabbah 85:1 and 85:9 (on Bereishis 38:1 and 38:18)

Practical lessonLook for the light being made

Everyone in Yaakov's house saw only loss, while Hashem was preparing the light of Moshiach. When a week feels heavy, take two minutes at night to write down one thing that might be the start of something good: a new friendship, a lesson learned, a door that closed so another could open. You do not need to understand the whole plan. It is enough to trust that while you are busy with your worries, Hashem is busy building.

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The Shechinah Asks for a Seal, a Cord and a StaffThe Noam Elimelech hears in Tamar's three requests the Shechinah's plea to sustain Israel through the long exile.Parshas Vayeshev

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