Parshas Vayeishev 5767

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 special colorful garment. This incurred the jealousy of his brothers. It was compounded further when Joseph related his prophetic dreams about his leadership to his brothers. Although the Talmud finds fault with Jacob’s treatment of Joseph, his intentions were to prepare Joseph for the challenges he would have to endure before assuming leadership.

The brothers eventually conspired to kill Joseph, but then decided to sell him instead as a slave. They 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, yet their actions were also part of an orchestrated masterplan to set the stage in Egypt for the family’s eventual exile.

At the same time, 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 fooled 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 to his actions, accepting full responsibility. Tamar bore twin boys, one of whom, Peretz, would be the forbearer of the Davidic, and ultimately the Messianic, dynasty.

Meanwhile, Joseph was taken to Egypt where he became a servant in the house of one of Pharaoh’s officers, Potiphar. Joseph was very handsome, and Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, but he would not consent to her advances, despite all her efforts. As a result, she slandered Joseph and he was sent to prison, where he remained for eleven years.

Jacob’s efforts in preparing Joseph paid off. Regardless of all the difficult circumstances he found himself in, Joseph maintained a positive disposition. This virtue would be of great importance when Joseph would later assume a leadership role.

The man asked him, saying, “What do you seek?” (Gen. 37:15)

A poor man came to a wealthy disciple of Rav Chaim Sanzer for assistance, but the wealthy man excused himself that he was involved in Torah study. Later, when he came to his teacher, Rav Chaim refused to meet him.

Rav Chaim said that the Torah relates that a “man” fought with Jacob. Rashi identifies this man as the evil angel of Esau. The Torah also relates that a man approached Joseph, in this week’s portion. Rashi identifies him as the angel Gabriel. How do we know which angel was which? The explanation is that when an unknown man offers assistance to the lost Joseph, he must be a good angel. Whereas when Jacob asked the man for a blessing, he refused, citing that he had to go sing G-d’s praises (see Rashi ad loc). Someone who has no time for others because he is spiritually occupied can only be the angel of Esau.

Did You Know...

A person must light Chanukah candles in his own home. If one is a guest at a friend’s home for the evening, he should first light at home before leaving, or else light later after he returns home. Preferably, one should remain home for the first half hour the candles are lit. If he will be sleeping at the friend’s home, he need not light at home, but should either light himself at the friend’s home, or else give the friend some money to become a partner in his lighting.

If one is staying at a hotel, the candles should be lit in the hotel. If one will be in transit through the night, he should have his wife light for him at home. If the whole family is traveling through the night, the mitzvah cannot be fulfilled, although if there is no safety risk, the candles may be lit in the vehicle.