Cracked: A Parable for Parshat Vayigash

Leann Shamash
Dec 23, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Dec 25, 2025

#vayigash #parshatvayigash #genesis #breisheet #josephstory #yehudahandyosef #sonsofjacob #windshields #forgiveness #crackedwindshield #cracked #brokenglass

The cliffhanger of Sefer Breisheet, which is Parshat Vayigash, has arrived. Yehudah bravely approaches the grand Yosef, and in a memorable speech he makes the brother’s case before the second -in- command of Egypt. Hearing the speech, Yosef can no longer perpetuate his complicated ruse and breaks down before his stunned brothers with a tearful confession that he is Yosef, the brother they sold into slavery long ago.

What began as a father who played favorites, a coat that distinguished a young dreamer from his brothers, and the resulting jealousy that led to the brothers selling their young brother into slavery and lying to their father about his fate. We as readers are witness to one hurtful action which led to another and another, causing grief for both Joseph and his father. Although the brothers are not formally forgiven In Parshat Vayigash, Joseph explains that God's workings had led them to this day and time and the air is finally clearer than it has been in years. (not perfect, as we will see after the death of Ya'akov, but much better than it has been!)

Perhaps this week’s post is a parable about what happens when a problem is swept under the rug, only to resurface with a vengeance.

Wishing all of you a peaceful Shabbat.

Leann

Cracked: A Parable for Parshat Vayigash

FTTTT!

It was a swift sound,

over before the sound even registered

an alert

A small pebble,

innocent and gray

skipped up from the road

A passing car’s wheels sent it

airborn

FTTTT!

You heard it

hit against the windshield

You scanned;

searched the horizon

through the glass.

The nick

barely visible in the glass

was in the center,

in the heart of the windshield.

You'll ignore it,

you thought.

It will pass.

After all, it's just a crack.

It doesn't blur your vision;

not at all.

So the crack remained,

humbly

it took root and rested.

One month led to two,

and two to three

and the months sped by

until at least a full year passed;

or was it two?

The crack was forgotten.

just biding its time in the heart of the glass.

Then one morning,

you remember it was so cold

you could see your breath

as you settled in the car.

You lifted your head and saw

that the tiny crack had sprouted

wings,

or spider's legs,

or branches.

Call them what you will.

You barely remembered what caused the crack

or that it was there at all.

And then...

each morning the fine lines grew.

inching to the north,

to the south,

to the east,

to the west

Silently they spread

tentacles reaching outward

until what was once but a small,

well,

was it a failing,

or a flaw,

consumed the windshield.

and the crack began to dominate.

No longer could you drive

or see the world;

only obstructions,

dim distortions,

the original blemish now grown

simply monstrous.

What was there to do?

Let it fester and grow?

Perhaps,

there is an action.

Repair.

To right things,

a reset.

Yes, it will cost you,

but without repair the world is blemished.

Your field of vision grows smaller and smaller

until you are

blinded.

The action, once taken, is quick.

The crack is carefully assessed

and re-assessed

until the hungry crack

and all that glass that surrounded it

is removed,

replaced,

repaired,

for now.

You are finally free.

Once again the world is yours to see.

The windshield is clear again.

See clearly.

Spread Light to the east, to the west, to the north, to the south. Alex Clare and Matisyahu

Cracked: A Parable for Parshat Vayigash

Cracked: A Parable for Parshat Vayigash

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