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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.
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
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The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
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(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
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Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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
