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Beit Midrash
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Let us suggest the following answer. Yosef actually intended to appease his brothers, when he saw that the fact that he was favored created resentment. He told them that the fact that he was elevated among them was not his own fault or that of his father, but that actually it was part of a divine plan. He was the one who would be the dreamer of the next generation, like Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. (Realize that throughout Sefer Bereishit, every single dream, even those by non-Jews and non-tzaddikim, such as Paroh, Avimelech, and Lavan, were prophetic.) Since this was already decided from Above, it made sense that they should accept what they viewed as their father’s decision, without anger or hatred.
The brothers did not accept Yosef’s argument. Perhaps the reason is that he spoke to them too harshly, as the Torah uses the word "vayaged" for what he said to them, and this is the term used for the harshest statements (See Rashi, Shemot 19:3). The result was additional hatred. But why did he seem to ignore the likelihood of their not surprising reaction?
One possibility is that he had no choice because a prophet is forbidden to withhold the prophecy he was given to share. The Rosh says that it was divinely communicated to Yosef that he would be guilty before Hashem if he did not share his dreams. Yosef preferred his brothers’ wrath to that of Hashem.
Abarbanel has another explanation. The brothers feared that the future held Yosef being the preferred son, as the firstborn of the wife Yaakov had chosen and loved, and that history would repeat itself. They would be removed from the family and the nation-in-the-making as Yishmael and the children of Avraham’s concubines had, and as Eisav had. That is why Yosef told them his dream in which, true, he was the prominent one, but they at least remained together "in the same field." His hope to allay their fears was, though, not appreciated.
We will expand on this theme next week. In the meantime, let us pray that the light of Chanuka candles will increase the love and unity between the sons of Yaakov/Yisrael.
Rabbis in Midrash
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
