Aliya Summary: The famine predicted by Joseph commenced, a grave
famine that affected Egypt and the entire Mediterranean region. Exactly
as planned, Joseph had sufficient stores of food, which he personally
sold to all who needed. Meanwhile, in nearby Canaan, Joseph's father,
Jacob, dispatched his eldest ten sons – all of them excepting Benjamin –
to Egypt to purchase food provisions. The brothers arrived and stood
before Joseph, but did not recognize him, as his boyish appearance had
changed in the interim years. When the brothers broached their request
to purchase food, Joseph dealt with them harshly, accused them of
espionage, and incarcerated them all for three days.
The
Gemara in Taanit says that Yaakov and family were still well-supplied
with food at this stage in the famine. Yet he sent them to Egypt, rather
than provoke the jealousy of others with less. When others have not, it
is improper to flaunt what you have.
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