Aliya Summary: Upon seeing his brother Benjamin, Joseph was overcome with emotion, which he concealed. The brothers sat down and enjoyed a feast, and Joseph presented them all with gifts—Benjamin's gift greater than all the others'. In the morning the brothers departed, but not before Joseph had his royal goblet planted in Benjamin's sack of food. Joseph then dispatched a posse to confront the brothers and "uncover" the planted goblet. The brothers were all brought back to Joseph, who demanded that the "thief," Benjamin alone, remain behind as his slave.
By giving Binyamin a bigger gift, Yosef was creating the potential for jealousy so that the brothers would be put into a similar situation as with him. Yosef was testing them to see how they would react, and if they'd matured and learned from the mistakes they had made with him.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Shishi (6th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: The brothers arrived in Egypt. Joseph instructed his palace supervisor to invite the brothers to join him for the afternoon repast. The brothers arrived at Joseph's residence where they were reunited with Simon. Joseph arrived, and the brothers presented him with the gift they had prepared, and they exchanged pleasantries.
After years of being away from his family, and all the machinations to create the situation they're in, Yosef finally gets to see his brothers, and specifically his own blood brother, Binyamin. Rather than focusing on himself and all the time he couldn't spend with them and with his brother, Yosef's first words to Binyamin was a blessing for G-d to favor him (43:29). The Medrash explains that all the brothers were blessed with this, but that was before Binyamin was born, so Yosef evened the blessing field by blessing only Binyamin. This just underscores the incredible selflessness of Yosef, not to have been thinking of himself and his sorrow. A further proof could be when the Passuk says that Yosef "lifted his eyes" and saw Binyamin. In addition to adding to the drama of the moment, why were Yosef's eyes down? If he were just looking at his brothers bowing to him, he wouldn't need to lift anything. Unless he lowered his face to avoid seeing his brothers in that state. Another possible sign of modesty and selflessness on Yosef's part.
After years of being away from his family, and all the machinations to create the situation they're in, Yosef finally gets to see his brothers, and specifically his own blood brother, Binyamin. Rather than focusing on himself and all the time he couldn't spend with them and with his brother, Yosef's first words to Binyamin was a blessing for G-d to favor him (43:29). The Medrash explains that all the brothers were blessed with this, but that was before Binyamin was born, so Yosef evened the blessing field by blessing only Binyamin. This just underscores the incredible selflessness of Yosef, not to have been thinking of himself and his sorrow. A further proof could be when the Passuk says that Yosef "lifted his eyes" and saw Binyamin. In addition to adding to the drama of the moment, why were Yosef's eyes down? If he were just looking at his brothers bowing to him, he wouldn't need to lift anything. Unless he lowered his face to avoid seeing his brothers in that state. Another possible sign of modesty and selflessness on Yosef's part.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Chamishi (5th Aliya)
Aliya Summary: On the third day, Joseph released them all, aside for Simon, whom he held hostage. He bid the rest of the brothers to return to Canaan and return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, and thus establish their innocence. The brothers recognized that this was punishment for the sale of Joseph, and expressed regret for their deed. Joseph instructed his servants to place the monies the brothers had paid for the food in the sacks of grain they were given. The brothers arrived back in Canaan and recounted the entire episode to Jacob. Jacob was highly disturbed by the happenings, and initially refused to send Benjamin, unwilling to consider the possibility of losing Rachel's only remaining son. Eventually, though, after the food provisions ran low, and Judah personally guaranteed Benjamin's safe return, Jacob acceded to send him. He sent them to Egypt with a prayer on his lips, and armed with a gift for the Egyptian ruler.
Reuven offered that his sons should die if Binyamin is not returned. Although the offer was refused, and Binyamin did return to his father, nonetheless Reuven said something he should not have said. His "two sons" are seen as referring to two famous descendants of Reuven who did die prematurely - Datan and Aviram. This is meant to underscore the importance of watching what we say. Once words are uttered, their intent and circumstance is separated, and the words live on their own.
Reuven offered that his sons should die if Binyamin is not returned. Although the offer was refused, and Binyamin did return to his father, nonetheless Reuven said something he should not have said. His "two sons" are seen as referring to two famous descendants of Reuven who did die prematurely - Datan and Aviram. This is meant to underscore the importance of watching what we say. Once words are uttered, their intent and circumstance is separated, and the words live on their own.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Revii (4th Aliya)
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Pharaoh appointed Joseph as viceroy of Egypt, and placed him in charge of the impending food collection operation. Thirty-year-old Joseph was placed second-in command of the Egyptian empire, accountable to no one but Pharaoh himself. Indeed, the seven years of plenty arrived as foretold by Joseph, and Joseph skillfully oversaw the collection of the surplus grain. Joseph married Osnat, the daughter of Potiphera, and she bore him two sons: Manasseh and Ephraim.
Even as Paroh conveyed second-in-command power to Yosef, he mentioned in various forms FIVE times that he was still the king and more powerful than Yosef, and then strangely proceeds to change Yosef's name to Zaphenath Pa'neach. Why would he do that, unless he wanted to take ownership of everything that Yosef was, even his name. That way when people ask how Yosef got his new name, Paroh would enter the conversation. This is an important tip in how one can take ownership of something. If you personalize a Mitzvah, not only is it more dear to you, but others associate you with it, and that can only increase the positive results.
Even as Paroh conveyed second-in-command power to Yosef, he mentioned in various forms FIVE times that he was still the king and more powerful than Yosef, and then strangely proceeds to change Yosef's name to Zaphenath Pa'neach. Why would he do that, unless he wanted to take ownership of everything that Yosef was, even his name. That way when people ask how Yosef got his new name, Paroh would enter the conversation. This is an important tip in how one can take ownership of something. If you personalize a Mitzvah, not only is it more dear to you, but others associate you with it, and that can only increase the positive results.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Sheni (2nd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: Pharaoh recounted his dreams to Joseph. Joseph told Pharaoh that both dreams contained a singular message: seven years of plenty were destined to come upon Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph proposed a plan to store the excess grain of the years of plenty, to serve as a reserve for the famine years to follow. Pharaoh was greatly impressed by Joseph's wisdom.
When Paroh called Yosef, he said that he heard that Yosef understood dreams, to which Yosef responded that it wasn't his wisdom, but that it was G-d's wisdom that he was relaying. At the end of Yosef's interpretation of Paroh's dream, he recommends that Paroh designate someone in charge of managing the excess food in preparation for the drought. Was that still G-d's wisdom, or was that his own? Or is the wisdom G-d imparted "downloaded" to Yosef, and Yosef incorporated it into his words and suggestions? Since the Torah doesn't specify when the interpretation ended and his suggestion began, it's most likely that Yosef incorporated (i.e. owned) G-d's wisdom, most likely through the knowledge he attained while learning in the Yeshiva if Shem and Eiver.
When Paroh called Yosef, he said that he heard that Yosef understood dreams, to which Yosef responded that it wasn't his wisdom, but that it was G-d's wisdom that he was relaying. At the end of Yosef's interpretation of Paroh's dream, he recommends that Paroh designate someone in charge of managing the excess food in preparation for the drought. Was that still G-d's wisdom, or was that his own? Or is the wisdom G-d imparted "downloaded" to Yosef, and Yosef incorporated it into his words and suggestions? Since the Torah doesn't specify when the interpretation ended and his suggestion began, it's most likely that Yosef incorporated (i.e. owned) G-d's wisdom, most likely through the knowledge he attained while learning in the Yeshiva if Shem and Eiver.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Daily Aliya for Miketz, Rishon (1st Aliya)
General Overview: Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, becomes viceroy over Egypt, and implements his plan to save the region from famine. Joseph is harsh with his brothers who come to Egypt to buy food, and demands that Benjamin be brought to Egypt. When Benjamin eventually comes he is framed and accused of theft.
Aliya Summary: Pharaoh had a dream: seven fat cows arose from the Nile, followed by seven emaciated cows. The gaunt cows then consumed the robust ones. He then had a second dream, wherein seven healthy ears of grain were eaten by seven thin and parched ears. In the morning, none of Pharaoh's wise men were capable of interpreting the dreams to Pharaoh's satisfaction. Pharaoh's butler approached and related his past jailhouse experience, when a Hebrew boy, Joseph, successfully interpreted dreams. Pharaoh ordered Joseph's release, and he appeared before the king.
Aliya Summary: Pharaoh had a dream: seven fat cows arose from the Nile, followed by seven emaciated cows. The gaunt cows then consumed the robust ones. He then had a second dream, wherein seven healthy ears of grain were eaten by seven thin and parched ears. In the morning, none of Pharaoh's wise men were capable of interpreting the dreams to Pharaoh's satisfaction. Pharaoh's butler approached and related his past jailhouse experience, when a Hebrew boy, Joseph, successfully interpreted dreams. Pharaoh ordered Joseph's release, and he appeared before the king.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)