Vayehi: Holding Onto the Past in a Way That Leads Us Forward

Introduction

At the conclusion of the book of Genesis, Joseph makes his brothers take an oath that their descendants will bring his bones back to the Land of Israel. This promise weaves its way through the Tanakh and Rabbinic literature. The saga of Joseph’s bones can teach us about leadership and how to relate to the past while also providing a model for the ideal religious life to which we should aspire. Listen now to Rabbi Leon Morris on Vayehi.

Credits:
Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant
Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

Leon Morris

Rabbi Leon Morris is President of Pardes and the first Pardes alumnus to lead the institution, having studied in both the Year (‘94-’95) and Summer (‘93, ‘94) Programs. Ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1997, Leon previously served as rabbi of Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, founding director of the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center in Manhattan, and Vice President for Israel Programs at the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Leon has taught at Orthodox, Conservative and Reform institutions and has worked extensively with the Jewish community of India since serving there as a Jewish Service Corps volunteer in 1990. A regular contributor to the Jewish, Israeli and American press, he is also an editor of the Reform High Holy Day machzor Mishkan HaNefesh.