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Chazal connect between this fleeing and the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea. "In the merit of the bones of Yosef, I will split the sea for them, as it says, ‘He left his garment with her and he fled outside’ (Bereishit 39:12), and it is written, ‘The sea saw and fled’ (Tehillim 114:3)" (Mechilta D’Rabbi Yishmael, Beshalach 3).
The haftara of Vayeishev also speaks of fleeing, in this case, regarding the weakening of the brave and strong, who will end up fleeing the battlefield (Amos 2:14-16). Later on, the navi speaks about a powerful earthquake that will cause much destruction, followed by survivors being killed by sword without the ability to flee or even being taken as captives (ibid. 9:1). These two mentions of fleeing are also connected to Yosef, but in a negative way. Israel will be punished for, among other things, the selling of a righteous, poor person (ibid. 2:6), which is a reference to the sale of Yosef. The earthquake about which the prophet spoke took place at the time of King Uziyahu, and it was followed by a terrible military defeat of Uziyahu and that of the empire of Yeravam II.
It is impossible to finish this discussion without citing the fleeing that is prophesied by the prophet Zecharia (14:3-8). While using imagery from Amos, Zecharia takes it to a positive place. He tells how Hashem will go out to fight against the nations who will attack Eretz Yisrael. Hashem will ‘stand’ on Har Hazeitim, as the mountain will split, with part going toward the Dead Sea to the east and part toward the Mediterranean to the west. The navi then describes how the local population fled from the area of the mountains, as people fled from the earthquake at the time of Uziyahu. This section is the haftara reading for Sukkot, in which we read about the happenings at the end of days when our enemies will fall by means of Hashem’s miracles, and He will redeem us with the coming of Mashiach. That earthquake is a happy, albeit frightening, one, which relives, to a great extent, the miracles and salvation of the Splitting of the Sea, which as mentioned, is connected to Yosef’s righteousness.
The merits of our predecessors indeed stand up for us for thousands of generations (see Shemot 34:7). May we be worthy of seeing miracles in the merit of Yosef Hatzaddik.
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Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
