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If we peruse the preceding parsha, which relates the story of the sale of Yosef to the Yishmaelim, we notice that there is no mention of Yosef pleading with his brothers. It is only from their vidui, confession, that we are able to derive that he pleaded with them not to sell him. Horav Yosef Konvitz, z.l., observes, that it is implicit in the brothers’ statement that this pleading must have taken place only at the moment that they decided to sell him to the Arab merchants. Why? Why did he not implore them earlier, when they were throwing him…

There is a story told about Horav Chaim Soloveitchik,zl, and the infamous Jewish apostate, Professor Daniel Chivalson, who was a Bible scholar and critic in Czarist Russia at the end of the nineteenth century.  Chivalson had  the position of chief censor for Hebrew books.  Despite his apparent betrayal of the religion to which he was born,  he continued  to act favorably to his “ex” co-religionists.  He was in touch with many famous rabbanim of his time. He signed his letters with the name Yosef,  the name by which he was called prior to his spiritual demise.  When Chivalson reached his…

Pharaoh asked Yosef to interpret his dreams.  Yosef interpreted the dreams to Pharaoh’s satisfaction. He then proceeded to offer unsolicited advice.  Is that not going beyond the scope of what he was asked to do?  What compelled Yosef to step forward, to propel himself for the position?  Horav Tzvi Hirsch Ferber, zl, offers a practical response.  He analogizes this to two officers who had a penchant for glory.  They were so wrapped up in themselves that they assumed that everyone admired and adored them.  They once came to the train station and found a band playing.  Each one thought that…