Parshas Vayeshev 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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The roots of all Jewish history can be traced to the story of our forefathers and their families. In the story of Joseph and his brothers the roots of the Egyptian exile and the ultimate Redemption can be seen.

Jacob favored his son Joseph more than his other sons. He taught him individually and made him a beautiful garment. This incurred the jealousy of his brothers. This was compounded further when Joseph related his prophetic dreams about his leadership to his brothers. Although the Talmud finds fault in Jacob’s treatment of his sons, Jacob’s intentions were to prepare Joseph for the challenges he knew Joseph would have to endure before assuming leadership.

The brothers’ jealousy and hatred led them to conspire against Joseph. They wanted to kill him, but then decided to sell him instead as a slave. Joseph was sold to a caravan and was eventually sold again to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s minister, in Egypt. The brothers took Joseph’s coat, dipped it in blood, and sent it to their father, implying that an animal had attacked him. Jacob could not be consoled. The brothers obviously acted improperly, but their actions are also seen as part of G-d’s orchestrated master plan to set the stage in Egypt for the family’s eventual exile.

Yehuda, the born leader of the brothers, and the one most affected by Joseph’s dreams, started his own family. His first son, Er, died, and Yehuda had the widow, Tamar, marry his second son, Onan. Onan also died and Yehuda sent Tamar to her father’s home. However, Tamar desired to have children through Yehuda’s family, and in a strange turn of events she tricked Yehuda into living with her. Yehuda did not even realize that he had made her pregnant. When confronted with the realization of what he had done, Yehuda publicly admitted his actions, accepting full responsibility. Tamar bore twin boys, one of whom, Peretz, would be the forebearer of the Davidic, and ultimately the Messianic, dynasty.

Meanwhile, Joseph gained his master’s trust, and was put in charge of all Potiphar’s affairs. Joseph was very handsome, and Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, but Joseph refused all her advances, retaining the holiness he had absorbed in his upbringing. As a result, Potiphar’s wife slandered Joseph and he was sent to prison, where he remained for eleven years.

Jacob’s efforts in preparing Joseph paid off, though. Regardless of all the difficult circumstances he found himself in, Joseph maintained a positive disposition and was not influenced by his surroundings. This virtue would be of great importance when Joseph would later assume a leadership role.

Yehuda said, “She is more righteous than I am” (Gen. 38:26)

Yehuda was willing to admit to the truth, regardless of the consequences and shame it would cause him. In the yeshiva of Slutzk, the students would often discuss Torah topics with the Rav, the great Ridvaz. Once a young student suggested an interpretation to the Ridvaz, but he refused to accept it, arguing that it did answer the question well. The following morning, at 5:00, an urgent knock was heard at the boys’ lodging, calling for the student to appear before the Rav. The students were frightened. What could the Rav want so early in the morning? When the young man came to the Rav, the Ridvaz said, “Although yesterday I did not agree with you, I thought about your interpretation the whole night and concluded you were right after all.”

Did You Know...

Each person is obligated to light Chanukah candles in his home. If a person will not be at home, he may have somebody in the house light candles for him. If one will be sleeping in a different home, he may either kindle at the place he will be sleeping, or else chip in with the host, and fulfill his obligation with the host’s lighting. If one is merely eating at a friend’s home, he cannot fulfill his obligation there; rather he should light at home. Even if one will not return home until late, he may still kindle at home, as long as there is at least one other person present to witness the lighting.