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IIn this week’s Torah reading we find Yaakov sending Yehuda as an emissary to Egypt to check the Land of Goshen, where the Jews would live. Why not asking Yosef, that was already there, to check the place?  Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 827

Preparing for Exile: Yaakov’s True Concern Before Entering Egypt

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash (“And he approached”), we encounter many powerful and emotional moments. These include Yehuda’s dramatic approach to Yosef, the longest speech in the entire Torah. We also read about Yosef’s revelation to his brothers, the moment Yaakov learns that Yosef is alive, their deeply moving reunion, and finally the descent of Yaakov and his entire family into Egypt.

However, I would like to focus on one particular idea, drawn from a single verse that describes Yaakov’s preparation before going down to Egypt.

Sending Yehuda Ahead

The Torah tells us that Yaakov sent his son Yehuda ahead of the family to Yosef, “lehorot lefanav Goshnah”, literally translated as “to teach before him in Goshen.” Goshen would later become the place where the Jewish people lived during their 210 years in Egypt.

On a simple level, this verse is easy to understand. Yaakov was bringing with him a large family, children, grandchildren, seventy souls in total. They would need homes, land for their cattle, and a place to settle. So Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to scout the area and prepare everything in advance.

But our Sages offer a much deeper explanation.

“To Teach” a Land?

Le mot “lehorot” means to teach. This seems strange. You don’t teach land or soil, so what exactly was Yehuda sent to teach?

Our Sages explain that Yaakov was not primarily worried about physical needs such as housing or pastureland. His real concern was spiritual survival. He wanted to ensure that Torah learning would be firmly established before his family arrived.

Yaakov therefore sent Yehuda ahead to establish places of Torah study, yeshivot et batei midrash, so that the family would have a strong spiritual foundation even while living in Egypt.

But Why Not Yosef?

This explanation raises an obvious question.

Yosef was already in Egypt, and not just anyone. He was the viceroy of the most powerful empire in the world. He controlled the economy, the food supply, and virtually every aspect of Egyptian life. If anyone could arrange for Torah learning institutions, surely Yosef could.

So why did Yaakov specifically send Yehuda?

Two Different Roles

The answer reveals a fundamental difference between Yosef and his brothers.

The other brothers, and the earlier patriarchs such as Avraham and Yaakov, were shepherds. Their lives allowed time for reflection, contemplation, and learning. While tending their flocks, they had the mental and spiritual space to focus on G-d and Torah.

Yosef, on the other hand, lived an entirely different reality. He was responsible for running Egypt. Every person who needed grain came through him. Our Sages say that no one could even ride a horse without Yosef’s permission. He was constantly occupied with administration, logistics, and leadership.

And yet, despite this overwhelming workload, Yosef remained deeply connected to G-d. He never forgot the Torah he learned from his father. In fact, the gifts he sent to Yaakov hinted that he remembered exactly where they had stopped learning together.

Still, there is an important distinction:

Yaakov understood that surviving spiritually in Egypt required more than personal faith or memory. It required dedicated Torah institutions, led by someone whose entire life was focused on learning and teaching.

That person was Yehuda.

A Timeless Lesson

From this, we learn a powerful lesson for our own lives.

Many people study on their own. They read books, listen to lectures, and try to understand Judaism independently. This is valuable, but it is not enough.

When a person seeks real guidance, direction, and clarity in life, they need more than books. They need a teacher, a rabbi, someone who is deeply immersed in Torah and experienced in living it.

The Book of Proverbs says:

“Do not rely on your own understanding.”

Even the best book cannot replace a living guide, someone who dedicates their life to learning, teaching, and helping others navigate real-life challenges with Torah wisdom.

Choosing Guidance Wisely

This does not mean blind dependence. You are allowed to choose your teacher. If a relationship no longer works, you may choose another. But what you should not do is “rabbi shopping”, asking the same question to multiple rabbis just to find the answer you like best. That only leads to greater confusion.

Instead, choose one teacher you trust, and rely on God that through this person, you will receive the guidance you need for your unique mission in life.

Just as Yaakov understood before entering Egypt, spiritual survival requires preparation, and that preparation begins with dedicated Torah leadership.

Discours du rabbin Tuvia Serber


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