Rashi comments that the Egyptians wept for Yaakov because they recognized the material blessings that were manifest as a result of his presence in their country. Indeed, the seven year period of hunger which was destined for Egypt ended five years prematurely with Yaakov’s arrival in Egypt. The Nile River, which is Egypt’s prime source of irrigation, was also unusually blessed. Horav Moshe Rosenstein, z.l., comments upon the Egyptian reaction to the void left by a tzaddik in contrast to our recognition of the value of a tzaddik’s presence in our midst. Yosef was the viceroy of Egypt. It was…
