The possuk begins this Sefer with a ויו, denoting a continuation of the previous Sefer. The Ohr Hachaim offers multiple explanations as to how this parsha is a continuation of the previous one.
1. The children of Yaakov, as enumerated in this possuk, were a continuation of their parents. They were all Tzadikim who followed in the path of Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov.
2. The Medrash writes that Klal Yisroel began their exile during the lifetime of Avraham Avinu. When Yitzchok was born, they were considered to be in exile. The brothers in this Parsha, living in Mitzrayim far from Eretz Yisroel, continued their exile from the last Parsha, where they were living in Eretz Yisroel, but in exile.
3. Another tweak on this explanation is offered by the Ohr Hachaim. The Avos accepted on themselves the yoke of galus, they understood the importance of exile for Klal Yisroel. The twelve sons of Yaakov also accepted the yoke of galus on themselves, just like their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before them, for themselves and their descendants.
This is the reason the Torah counts them out again in this Parsha. Rashi explains that this is to display Hashem’s great love for His nation. A shepherd who loves his sheep, constantly counts them. Hashem loves His people, and constantly counts them. However, this is not the simple explanation of the possuk. Additionally, the Torah should have written the list of names of Klal Yisroel after Yosef passed away, not before.
The Ohr Hachaim explains that with his explanations of the letter וי"ו, we can understand why the Torah begins the Parsha with a list of names.
The Torah is announcing the difference between Yaakov and Esav. Esav refused to accept the yoke of galus on himself. As the possuk tells us תֶא וָׂשֵע חַק יַונָׂשָׂיו וְאֶת בָׂנָׂיו.... וַיֵלֶךְ אֶל אֶרֶץ מִּפְנֵי יַעֲקֹב אָׂחִּיו - Esav took his wives, his sons....and he went to another land because of his brother Yaakov. The Medrash says that he traveled to another land because of the debt that hung over Yaakov. Esav knew that Eretz Yisroel's inheritance depended on them spending time in exile. He wanted no part in it.
Yaakov accepted the yoke of galus on himself, with suffering and want. The children of Yaakov were also the polar opposite to Esav. They knew that accepting Hashem’s yoke was worth it, and they were willing to go into galus. This is the meaning of the letter וי"ו at the beginning of the Parsha – the brothers were also on that great level of their fathers.
