VaYeshev 5781: Yoseph & Yehudah – Healing a Rift Extending Across History and within the Individual Self

Posted by Yiscah Smith on December 8, 2020
Topics: Pardes from Jerusalem, Bereishit (Genesis), Torah, VaYeshev

The conflict between Yoseph and Yehudah runs like a seam across the entire history of Israel.  At times Yoseph gains the upper hand, and at times Yehudah prevails, but the schism always resurfaces. In Tractate Sukkah 52 a-b, our sages even speak of two messiahs, each with a role to play in ushering in the final universal redemption, one a descendent of Yosef, Mashiach ben Yosef, and the other a descendent of Yehudah, Mashiach ben Dovid. What are the implications for the people of Israel and for the individual’s spiritual practice as well?

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Yiscah Smith – Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem
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About Yiscah Smith

Yiscah is a Jewish educator, spiritual activist and published author who addresses the spiritual practice of encountering the Divine spark within, the foundation of authentic living. She employs her personal story of ​the joys and struggles with her spirituality, Jewish tradition and commitment to authentic living. As a spiritual trailblazer, she exemplifies what it means to carve one’s own path: understanding one’s inner being and cultivating the integrity to remaining faithful to that understanding, unapologetically. Yiscah encourages, ennobles and empowers others to do the same. Yiscah is adjunct faculty and teaches Jewish meditative practice and spiritual texts at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies and in her home in Jerusalem. She provides as well spiritual mentoring to individuals seeking an awareness of the Divine spark within. Yiscah is also a public speaker, both in Israel and abroad. Click here to read more. Yiscah is teaching the practice of Authentic Jewish Living. To learn more and support the creation of more podcasts please visit Yiscah Smith on patreon.

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