Mikeitz – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

Today, we equate “forgetting one’s father’s house,” with an attempt to break with tradition. Ostensibly, this was not Yosef’s intention. Yet, is it proper for an individual to boast about being able to forget the home of his youth? Is this a phenomenon for which one thanks Hashem? While it is true that Yosef’s homelife left much to be desired, he did leave behind a grieving father. A more sensible way to view Yosef’s statement reflects upon his refined character traits. If we were to put ourselves in Yosef’s shoes, bearing a grudge would probably be a restrained reaction. Indeed,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

If we were to analyze the brothers’ response to this occurrence, we might be tempted to say, “What did you expect?” They had sold their brother into slavery, and Hashem was delivering their retribution. Why are they complaining?” Indeed, in the Talmud Tannis 9a Chazal allude to this. They cite the pasuk in Mishlei 19:3 iuveles adam tesalef darko v’al hashem yezaef leebo.“The foolishness of man perverts his way; and his heart frets against Hashem.” A fool makes a mistake and then complains about the punishment he receives from the Almighty. Likewise, the brothers had sold Yosef and now they…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5757, Mikeitz

“And may Almighty G-d grant you mercy before the man.” (43:14)

The Chofetz Chaim, zl, notes the vast power and lasting effects of every word that one speaks. Yaakov Avinu teaches us a profound lesson in the care one must exercise to guard every word that exits his mouth. We note that when Lavan accused Yaakov of stealing his terafim, idols, Yaakov countered by saying, “With whomever you shall find your gods, he shall not live” (Bereishis 31:32) The unintentional curse which Yaakov uttered had a disastrous effect. Rachel had actually taken the idols. As a result of this curse, Rachel died prematurely. When the brothers returned from Egypt, they recounted…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Mikeitz

“Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.” (41:33)

After successfully interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Yosef offered his unsolicited advice. He counseled Pharaoh to appoint a unique individual who possessed an acute mind and an uncanny ability to organize the entire country during the seven years of plenty. Horav Eliyahu Lopian, z.l., questions the need to appoint someone who is unusually perceptive. This is an undertaking for an individual who is endowed with excellent organizational and administrative skills, not someone who is astute. He responds that it takes one who is especially gifted to “see” the years of hunger at the very moment that he and everyone else are enjoying…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Mikeitz

“And Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” (42:8)

The nature of Yosef’s encounter with his brothers for the first time after many years of estrangement is truly enigmatic. True, it had been many years since they had last seen one another. In addition, the circumstances by which they had been separated were unpleasant to recall. The fact that ten brothers who were exemplary in wisdom and perception did not recognize their lost brother seems difficult to accept. Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, cites Horav Yecheskel Levinstein, z.l., who explains their meeting. Man has the ability to see and perceive, recognize and remember, only by virtue of siyata d’shmaya, Heavenly…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Mikeitz

“And may G-d Almighty give you mercy before the man that he may release unto you your other brother and Binyamin.” (43:14)

The text of the pasuk is questionable. Why does Yaakov say that Hashem should give you mercy “before the man”? Why does he not simply say, “from the man”? What is the significance of having mercy “before” the man? Horav Mordechai Rogov, z.l., suggests a profound thought. Yaakov Avinu taught his sons a valuable lesson. If they sense that the “man” has no mercy on them, it is because they are being punished for their own lack of rachmanus, mercy. If they have mercy “before” the man, if they are sensitive to the needs of others, Hashem will reward them…

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Sruly Schnair In 5756, Mikeitz

“And the goblet was found in Binyamin’s pouch.” (44:12)

We can derive a number of noteworthy lessons from a Midrash regarding this pasuk. The Midrash comments that when the goblet was found in Binyamin’s pouch, his brothers struck him on the shoulders and berated him, “Thief, son of a thieving mother, you have shamed us, just as your mother shamed your father when she stole Lavan’s terafim, idols.” We understand from this Midrash how quickly suspicion is aroused in the hearts of men, how rapidly they jump to conclusions at the slightest pretext, to place the onus of guilt upon an individual. We also note how difficult it is…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Mikeitz

“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was anxious, and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men, and Pharoah told them of his dream.” (41:8)

Pharaoh’s attitude towards his dream demands explanation. Does dreaming about cows and ears of corn warrant immediate interpretation by the wisest men of the country? To the average person, these dreams seem to be nothing more than the inane musings of the subconscious. What impressed Pharaoh to the extent that he was shaken by its covert message? Horav Shimon Schwab, z.l., suggests that these dreams had an underlying message which gave Pharaoh a rude awakening. Pharaoh followed the atheistic perspective that in any altercation the minority will inevitably fall into the hands of the multitude. Similarly, the weaker party will…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Mikeitz

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man. ” (41:33)

Rashi interprets Pharaoh’s question literally, “If we were to seek such a unique individual, could we possibly find one such as he?” The Satmar Rebbe z.l., questions Pharaoh’s attitude. Even if Yosef appeared to be the “best man” for the job, why was Pharaoh so reticent to search for someone who might better qualify for the position? He should first have searched for a great and capable leader. Afterwards, he could have offered Yosef the position by default. The Rebbe offers a novel response. Yosef was proficient in all seventy languages. The angel Gavriel had taught them to him. If…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5755, Mikeitz

“Only by the throne will I be greater than you.” (41:40)

Why does Pharaoh “warn” Yosef that he will be greater than Yosef because he occupies “the throne?” Did Pharaoh fear Yosef’s insubordination? Horav Ze’ev Weinberger, Shlita, suggests that Pharaoh was being very practical. He told Yosef that the purpose in making him Viceroy over Egypt was to enhance and glorify Pharaoh’s throne. Pharaoh fully understood that taking a Jewish slave out of prison, showering him with glory, and giving him access to the second most powerful position in the land was risky. This act might be dangerous unless a long term benefit was clearly to be derived. Pharaoh, however, was…

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“And Yosef called the name of his firstborn Menashe; for Hashem has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” (41:51)

“And he said to his brother, my money has been returned… and they turned trembling one to another, saying, ‘What is it that Hashem has done to us?'” (42:28)

“And may Almighty G-d grant you mercy before the man.” (43:14)

“Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.” (41:33)

“And Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.” (42:8)

“And may G-d Almighty give you mercy before the man that he may release unto you your other brother and Binyamin.” (43:14)

“And the goblet was found in Binyamin’s pouch.” (44:12)

“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was anxious, and he sent and called all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men, and Pharoah told them of his dream.” (41:8)

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man. ” (41:33)

“Only by the throne will I be greater than you.” (41:40)

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