YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bereshit
- Vayechi
The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
Revital Bat Lea
The Meshech Chuchma (on Bererishit 30:15) explains that Yosef was telling them why he could not take them as slaves. The halacha that a Jew may not sell himself as a slave to his fellow Jew is based on the pasuk: "They are My slaves." We infer from here that as we are servants to Hashem, we cannot sell ourselves as servants to anyone else (Bava Metzia 10a). Thus, Yosef was saying that since he was not Hashem’s substitute, he had no right to take Hashem’s servants as slaves. According to this explanation, though, it sounds that if not for the halachic problem, Yosef might have taken his brothers as slaves, as his childhood dreams hinted.
Other sources see these words as means of rebuke. Rachel had pleaded with Yaakov to ensure that she bear a child. Yaakov responded with the same phrase: "Am I substitute of Hashem, who withheld from you the fruit of the womb?" The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 71:7) states that Hashem remarked at that time that as a result of Yaakov’s insensitive words, his ten sons would hear the same words from Rachel’s son (Yosef). Clearly then, the midrash saw Yosef’s words as harsh ones, perhaps to a similar degree as follows from the Meshech Chuchma.
We can suggest another explanation of Yosef’s words based on another analysis of Yaakov’s use of the same phrase. Yaakov told Rachel that he could not control if and when she would have a child, as it was part of a Divine plan, which only Hashem knows. As it turns out, the Divine plan had Rachel being a matriarch, just that her children would be born sometime later.
What resulted from Yosef’s "delayed" birth? The Torah tells us that Yosef was a ben zekunim (a child raised in Yaakov’s old age) and gave this as the reason that Yaakov preferred him to his brothers (Bereishit 37:3). This favoritism was the first reason for their jealousy (ibid.:4) which ultimately led to Yosef’s being sold as a slave. Thus, Yosef could have used the same words to hint the following. Yaakov had said that there was a Divine reason that he was born late. It may have been to cause discord, which would cause Yosef to precede his brother’s down to Egypt. Thus the sale itself was part of the Divine plan, and Yosef did not hold his brothers fully responsible for it. As the pasuk continues, while the brothers thought that they were doing something harsh to Yosef, Hashem saw it as a way to save the family from famine.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(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)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
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)
