Parshat Vayisgash: Bringing the Children Along

A not-too-farfetched reading of the end of Chapter 45 can indicate that only one person intended to go down to Egypt to stay there. “… And bread and food for his father for the journey” (45:23). “He saw the wagons Yosef had sent to carry him…” (45:27) “Israel said, ‘My son Yosef still lives: I will go and I will see him before I die.’” (45:28)

It is particularly poignant that Yaakov/Yisrael was the only one excited about the journey. He travels “with all that was his” to Beer Sheva, where he brought sacrifices. (46:1) G-d promises to go down with him (specifically), and that He will take Yaakov up from Egypt. (46:3-4) Yaakov’s sons then make sure their wives and children are on the wagons that were sent “to carry him.” (46:5).

The final indicators are in verses 6-7, when we see “They took their cattle and their possessions to come to Egypt: Yaakov and all his children with him.” This is followed by “His sons, grandsons, daughters and granddaughters and all of his children – he brought with him to Egypt.”

Every pronoun is in the singular – about Yaakov.

Why did they not bring all of their belongings in 46:1? Why does it emphasize twice (in 46:6-7) that all his children were with him – first in the general sense, and then in the more specific – before listing them individually? Wouldn’t once be sufficient?

And why does it say “He brought them with him to Egypt?” Why did he have to bring them? Did they not go of their own accord?

The Or HaChaim explains that they were only going in order to accompany their father, and had no intention of staying in Egypt. But after the prophesy in Beer Sheva, they realized they were meant to go and stay there as well. Which is why they willingly and deliberately put their children on the wagons: if you’re going to go, you may as well go in style.

The Malbim further notes that the zodiac indicated there would eventually be enslavement, but that they personally would not be enslaved. For the shvatim (the individual tribes) themselves, there was nothing to worry about. But their children, destined to be the first ones enslaved, exhibited hesitation. This is why Yaakov needed to “bring them.” Would you want to be dragged along for Grandpa’s joyride if he will die soon, leaving you to be enslaved? Didn’t think so.