By Dr. Rivkah Lambert, Breaking Israel News—
In a Torah class, sponsored by Yiboneh and delivered in Jerusalem earlier this week, Orthodox scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz explained that there are alternative scenarios for the messianic figure known in Judaism as Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah, son of Joseph).
Quoting the Vilna Gaon, who was among the foremost 18th century Jewish leaders, Rabbi Breitowitz explained that, “Moshiach ben Yosef as a person will be killed in the horrendous wars of Gog and Magog. But Moshiach ben Yosef can take another form. It doesn’t have to take the form of a person. It can take the form of a movement and a philosophy.”
As is well-known, a portion of the Five Books of Moses is read in synagogues around the world each Shabbat. What is less well-known is that there is also a reading from the Books of Prophets that has a parallel theme to something in the Torah portion. This prophetic reading is referred to as a Haftarah. In Hebrew, a haftarah is a conclusion.
The Torah portion for this coming Shabbat is Vayigash (Genesis 44:18–47:27) in which Yosef (Joseph) reveals his identity to his brothers after Yehuda (Judah) pleads for the release of the youngest brother Binyamin (Benjamin). Thus, Yehuda and Yosef are reunited. Continue Reading….