Study Judah’s actions vis-a-vis Tamar to appreciate the true meaning of taking responsibility, not withstanding his personal humiliation.

There is much to learn about Judah and his recital of the words “tzad’ka mimeni,” that she is more righteous than I. In effect, he became the paradigm of the Ba’al Teshuva, the Master of Return, who incredibly becomes the progenitor of the Messiah. To learn more, read this illuminating analysis entitled, “Judah, The Paradigm for Jewish Future” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message for Vayeishev 5781-2020. Out of respect for Shabbat, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon, if you plan to read it on Shabbat.