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We will now focus on the emotional reunion between Yosef and his brothers. Before revealing his identity, Yosef commanded all others to leave the room (ibid. 45:1). Why was this important to him? Midrash Sechel Tov (Vayigash 45) said it was a matter of modesty, as Yosef was planning to show his brothers his mila in order to prove his identity. The simplest explanation is that it was designed to spare his brothers from embarrassment, as this revelation was going to include painful rebuke. The Ramban comments that Yosef did not want the Egyptians to hear about his sale into slavery, as in addition to embarrassment to his brothers, it also could cause damage to Yosef’s plans of settling his family in Egypt. Who wants to welcome to a prominent station in Egypt a group of men who betrayed a brother? Might they not betray Paroh and the Egyptians?
The Da’at Zekeinim also takes the Ramban’s approach and goes as far as to say that even Binyamin did not hear that the brothers had sold Yosef, as he was whisked away in the middle of the conversation.
The simple reading of the p’sukim also implies that Yosef kept the episode a secret the whole time. He told his fellow prisoners that he was "abducted from the land of Hebrews" (Bereishit 40:15). Even the brothers, upon discussing their guilty conscience over Yosef, did not mention the sale but just generally that they regretted not having mercy and wronging him (ibid. 42:21-22). It is even possible that Reuven, who had left his brothers when Yosef was in the pit, did not know they had sold him. There is no hint of Yosef telling his father how he ended up in Egypt, and the brothers do not mention it to Yosef when they discuss their relationship after Yaakov’s death.
The next one to bring it up, in the form of a hint, is the prophet Amos (2:6), who talked about the sins of Israel, which included selling a righteous and a poor person for money and shoes, respectively (see also ibid. 6:6). Chazal also attribute the death of the ten martyrs at the hands of the Romans to the sin of the tribes’ founders towards their brother. The emperor demanded of the rabbis to make judgment of one who sold his brother for shoes, and he carried out punishment against them. This, of course, is the basis of the piyyutim about the martyrs, recited on both Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av.
The sale of Yosef is what turned the betrayal of the brothers into a shever that was difficult to mend. True fraternity is the best remedy. Let us remember that during the upcoming fast of Asara B'Tevet.
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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.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.