I wrote this commentary a few years ago, yet I can see the relevance of it today. In light of the current tensions and divisions within Israel, the themes from this week’s Parashah and Haftarah resonate deeply. They remind us that God can make seemingly impossible situations possible.

In Genesis 37:26-27, we read about Judah's suggestion to sell Joseph instead of killing him:

And Judah said to his brothers, 'What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.' And his brothers listened to him.

From that moment, up until this week’s Parashah, we witness a profound transformation in Judah. His actions reflect a journey of repentance and reconciliation. The Parashah opens with Judah standing by his promise to Jacob to protect Benjamin, their youngest brother, from harm. In Genesis 43:9, he declares, 

I myself will take responsibility for him! You may demand him back from me. If I do not bring him back to you and present him to you, then you can let me take the blame forever.

Later, in Genesis 44:1-17, Joseph sets a trap by having his overseer place his silver goblet in Benjamin’s sack, accusing him of theft. This leads to a powerful moment when Judah pleads with Joseph to take him as a slave instead of Benjamin. The same Judah who once sold Joseph into slavery now offers himself in place of his youngest brother. Judah’s willingness to sacrifice himself out of love for his father moves Joseph to tears, prompting the dramatic revelation of his true identity. It’s striking that until this moment, the brothers do not recognize Joseph, even though all of Egypt knew he was a Hebrew.

This story of repentance, reconciliation, and the eventual reunion of brothers points to the Haftarah’s prophetic message in Ezekiel 37:15-28. Here, we read of another reconciliation—the unification of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Joseph:

Now you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.’ Then put them together for yourself one to another into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand. … Behold, I am going to take the stick of Joseph … and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.
Ezekiel 37:15-17, 19

This prophecy of reconciliation extends beyond the physical regathering of Israel, which we are privileged to witness in our time. It also speaks to a deeper, spiritual restoration. Today, while Israel is not divided into two kingdoms, we see other forms of division—between secular and religious, political factions, and different ethnic and cultural groups. These divisions threaten the unity of the nation and serve as a stark reminder of the prophetic words in Ezekiel.

I believe that just as Judah’s heart softened and he took responsibility for his actions, so too must we, as a people, confront our spiritual shortcomings. True reconciliation will only come when Israel collectively acknowledges its sins before the Father and when the Son, Yeshua, reveals His true identity to His brothers.

Scripture offers hope and a vision for the future—a time when the veil will be removed, and all of Israel will be united as one people under one King. Until that day, let us pray fervently for the healing of our divisions and the fulfillment of God’s promise. May we take to heart the lessons of Judah, Joseph, and the sticks of Ezekiel, trusting in God’s ability to bring unity out of brokenness.

Shabbat Shalom and wishes for a meaningful Hanukkah,
Moran