In the Talmud Pesachim 119a, Chazal relate that Yosef buried three treasures in Egypt. One of the treasures was revealed to Korach. The other was revealed to Antoninus of Rome, who was a friend of Rabbi Yehudah Ha’Nasi. The third remains hidden, to be revealed in the future. While many commentators understand the words of Chazal to refer to material wealth, as we know that Korach was an unusually wealthy person, the Yalkut Hadrush identifies Yosef’s ideas as the primary aspect of his wealth. Yosef left a legacy–three lessons to be gleaned and studied.
The first lesson is one that Korach inadvertently affirmed for us. Regardless of man’s plans, Hashem’s will prevails. Yosef’s brothers envied and hated him. They almost executed his murder, they spared him at the last minute only to sell him as a slave. He was purchased by an Egyptian priest and became his foreman, only to lose his position when the priest’s wife wrongfully accused him of misconduct. He was then relegated to live in squalor in an Egyptian prison. He was finally released after a forgetful butler remembered the favor that Yosef had done for him two years previously. Yosef finally achieved a responsible position. If we look back, he was destined for greatness. Nothing could have prevented that from occurring. Korach confirmed this principle when, despite his schemes, he failed to wrest the Kehunah Gedolah from Aharon.
The second lesson is that it is possible to have a good working relationship with the Gentile world. Yosef was a Hebrew slave in a land where Hebrews were despised. Yet, he became second to Pharaoh and a champion of the people. Admired and respected, he governed with dignity and worked in harmony with his Gentile peers. Those Gentiles that blatantly hate Jews are simply anti-Semites. They cannot tolerate the Jews for the most part because of unfounded jealousy or an innate insecurity that plagues so many of them. Although Antoninus of Rome was diametrically opposed philosophically to Rabbi Yehudah Ha’Nasi, they remained close friends. Those who feel they must clash with the Gentile world probably do not have the skills to get along with anyone.
The third lesson is the lesson of peace. Brothers must maintain peaceful co-existence, regardless of their differences. Vengeance and hatred must be put aside for love and forgiveness. Brothers must live together in harmony. Originally, Yosef and his brothers had far from an amicable relationship. The course of events led up to the point when their relationship reached its zenith–they made peace with one another. All nations of the world descend from Noach. One day the world will again be united in peace and harmony. We wait for that glorious day when Yosef’s third treasure will be revealed.
