Parshas Vayaishev 5765

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 he had been attacked by an animal. Jacob could not be consoled. The brothers obviously acted improperly, however, their actions were also part of an orchestrated masterplan from G-d 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 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 to Yehuda twin boys, one of whom, Peretz, would be the forebear 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, 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, though. 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.

(Tamar said) "By the man to whom these belong I became pregnant." (Gen. 38:25)

A known preacher would speak in Jerusalem on Shabbos afternoon, ending well after sunset. To accommodate him, the attendees would pray Mincha (afternoon prayers recited before sunset) before the lecture. Rav Berel Kreizer once came to the lecture, and not realizing it would take so long he had not yet prayed. Sunset approached and the preacher was nowhere near ending. Rav Kreizer didn't want to insult the speaker by leaving in the middle, but he had to pray. He tried to leave rather discreetly. Later he asked the Chazon Ish what he should have done. The Chazon Ish responded, "I don't understand the question! To leave in the middle is an embarrassment to the speaker and praying Mincha in the proper time does not take precedence over such a severe transgression!"

(Consult a Halachic authority for practical application.)

Did You Know...

A person must light Chanukah candles in his own home. Therefore if one is a guest at a friend's home for the evening, he should first light at home, or else light later when he gets home. 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, he should light in the hotel room. If one will be in transit through the night, if possible, he should have his wife light at home and rely on her lighting. If the whole family is traveling through the night, the mitzvah cannot be fulfilled. If there is no risk of safety, one may light in the train, boat, or car.