- Sections
- Parashat Hashavua
More on Sales and Family Repair
The reunion that we saw last week returns in our parasha for a “second edition.” The crying is renewed, and the question of how to repair the torn fabric of Yaakov's family is back on the table in full force after Yaakov’s death.
The reunion/conciliation meeting that we saw last week returns in our parasha for a "second edition." The crying is renewed, and the question of how to repair the torn fabric of Yaakov/Yosef’s family is back on the table in full force after Yaakov’s death and the brothers’ suspicion that Yosef is prepared to take revenge.
Let us compare the language of the two relevant conversations. In the first one, the brothers start with the offer/request that they will be Yosef’s slaves, and then when he reveals his identity and tells them that he is their brother whom they sold into slavery and cries, he consoles them with his contention that this sale brought about their survival during the famine (Bereishit 45:2-5). In our parasha, they again offer to be slaves and Yosef again cries, but while Yosef placates their greatest fears, he does say that the brothers had thought in an ill manner about him (ibid. 50:17-20).
Although the two episodes share fear, crying, and putting a somewhat positive spin on the family’s history, there are differences. The second one does not mention the sale of Yosef, but, on the other hand, there is more focus on the brothers’ bad thoughts than on the salvation that came about. The idea behind this is that while the sale itself was atoned for by Yehuda’s willingness to be a slave instead of Binyamin, the brothers’ intention to remove Yosef from Eretz Yisrael and from Yaakov’s family was not fully resolved.
This matter is actually resolved in a third meeting between the brothers, at the end of Sefer Bereishit, as Yosef was preparing to die. At that time, Yosef prophesies that at some time in the future, the family/nation would leave Egypt, and Yosef makes them swear that they will return his remains to Eretz Yisrael, in which he has a double portion (ibid. 50:24-25).
In Yosef’s dreams, in the beginning of Parashat Vayeishev, Yosef stresses that he is a successor of the patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, who prophesied through dreams. For that reason, he was fit to inherit the Land that Hashem gave to them. When the brothers sold Yosef into slavery and to Egypt, they in effect denied both of these contentions. Yaakov promises Yosef that he would in fact receive a double portion in the Land, giving him a status of a firstborn (ibid. 48:21-22). Yosef passes on word of this status to his brothers and makes them swear that they will return him to Eretz Yisrael from where he was kidnapped and removed. Fulfillment of that oath will repair the damage of the sin. In that way, the brothers recognize Yosef’s leadership in all aspects. This mends the tear that began with the horrible moment of the ripping of Yosef’s special coat.
There is no liberation without internal peace within the nation.
Let us compare the language of the two relevant conversations. In the first one, the brothers start with the offer/request that they will be Yosef’s slaves, and then when he reveals his identity and tells them that he is their brother whom they sold into slavery and cries, he consoles them with his contention that this sale brought about their survival during the famine (Bereishit 45:2-5). In our parasha, they again offer to be slaves and Yosef again cries, but while Yosef placates their greatest fears, he does say that the brothers had thought in an ill manner about him (ibid. 50:17-20).
Although the two episodes share fear, crying, and putting a somewhat positive spin on the family’s history, there are differences. The second one does not mention the sale of Yosef, but, on the other hand, there is more focus on the brothers’ bad thoughts than on the salvation that came about. The idea behind this is that while the sale itself was atoned for by Yehuda’s willingness to be a slave instead of Binyamin, the brothers’ intention to remove Yosef from Eretz Yisrael and from Yaakov’s family was not fully resolved.
This matter is actually resolved in a third meeting between the brothers, at the end of Sefer Bereishit, as Yosef was preparing to die. At that time, Yosef prophesies that at some time in the future, the family/nation would leave Egypt, and Yosef makes them swear that they will return his remains to Eretz Yisrael, in which he has a double portion (ibid. 50:24-25).
In Yosef’s dreams, in the beginning of Parashat Vayeishev, Yosef stresses that he is a successor of the patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, who prophesied through dreams. For that reason, he was fit to inherit the Land that Hashem gave to them. When the brothers sold Yosef into slavery and to Egypt, they in effect denied both of these contentions. Yaakov promises Yosef that he would in fact receive a double portion in the Land, giving him a status of a firstborn (ibid. 48:21-22). Yosef passes on word of this status to his brothers and makes them swear that they will return him to Eretz Yisrael from where he was kidnapped and removed. Fulfillment of that oath will repair the damage of the sin. In that way, the brothers recognize Yosef’s leadership in all aspects. This mends the tear that began with the horrible moment of the ripping of Yosef’s special coat.
There is no liberation without internal peace within the nation.

He Ran to the Midst of the Congregation”
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Sivan 5783

Criteria to Be Chosen
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Av 5783

Ask the Rabbi: Whose Responsibility Is Raising the Wall?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Elul 3 5783

The Brave of Strength Who Do His Will
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | 5768

Rabbi Yossef Carmel
Head of "Eretz Hemda" Dayanut Kollel

Of Human Dignity and the Man who Avoided Honor
A Eulogy for Rav Lichtenstein zt"l
5775

The Authority of Leaders
5771

“These Are the Judgments”
5774

“Make for Me [an Aron] and I Will Dwell in Their Midst”
5771

Washing on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 7 5778
The Laws of Blowing the Shofar
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Thursday, 23 Elul 5767

Washing on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 7 5778

White and Nice Clothes and Gold on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5780

The Special Nature of the Ne'ilah Hour
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 6 Tishrei 5784
Yom Kippur- Other Afflictions
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5 Tishrei 5784

Ask The Rabbi: What Should I Do To Prepare For The Fast?
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | 5 Tishrei 5784
