Vayeishev – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“And he (Yosef) became a successful man, and he stayed in his Egyptian master’s house.” (39:3)

The epithet “Egyptian,” is repeated several times in this chapter as if to draw our attention to the immense transformation taking place in Yosef’s life. From the sublime heights of holy life in Yaakov’s home, Yosef was dragged down to the abysmal depths of the depravation that was Egypt. The immoral character of the Egyptian lifestyle was the direct antithesis of the upbringing in Yosef’s home. Potifar’s wife, rejecting all moral scruples, was the prototype of the Egyptian woman. Horav Eli Munk, z.l., suggests that the Torah intentionally set out to emphasize this contrast. In order to fully appreciate the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5753, Vayeishev

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt, and his baker had sinned against their master, the king of Egypt.”(40:1)

Later on in the story the pasuk refers to them in a slightly different way. “And Pharoah became angry against his two officials, the prince of the butlers, and the prince of the bakers.” (40:1) While in the first pasuk they are simply referred to as butler and baker, they are referred to as “prince” of the butlers and “prince” of the bakers in the second pasuk. Horav S. R. Hirsh, z.l., notes the apparent mockery reflected in the pathos of these “princes.” They are princes to those beneath them in status, but to those above them they are merely…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeishev

“And Yaakov dwelt… These are the generations of Yaakov, Yosef was seventeen years old.” (37:1-2)

Rashi explains that Yaakov desired to dwell peacefully, but Yosef’s troubles beset him. Rashi’s statement reflects the tzaddik’s awesome sense of responsibility for continued growth. He constantly maintained the awareness that this world is the world of action, while ultimate repose is in the world-to-come. The Moreshes Moshe applies this concept to the importance of continued education and development, never being content to rest upon one’s past achievements. One would imagine that Yaakov had suffered enough in his ascension to the position of Patriarch. He would finally be able to relax and study without the worry that had been his…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeishev

“And a man found him wandering in the field, and the man questioned him, “What are you looking for?” (37:15)

The Talmud explains that this “man” was actually the angel Gavriel who came to guide Yosef. The Kotzker Rebbe Z”l explains homiletically that this angel came to teach a lesson. Whenever one finds himself “wandering” on the pathways of life, confused and searching for answers, he should first clarify his goals. The first step on the road to certainty is the ability to define a purpose in life for oneself. We may suggest that when one knows what he is seeking, he will accept an intelligent answer to his question. When he doesn’t know what he is searching for, however,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeishev

“Come and let us sell him to the Yishmaelim, but our hand shall not be upon him.” (37:27)

Yehudah’s suggestion to sell Yosef is apparently considered laudable, for we on his deathbed Yaakov praised him for his advice. This seems peculiar, however, since selling Yosef to people of such low moral character seems wrong. Indeed there is a famous dictum that, “worse is one who leads another into transgression, than one who kills him.” Why then was Yehudah so extolled? We may suggest that this pasuk presents a profound lesson. When one is confronted with a situation in which an incorrect decision on his part will cause an irreversible outcome, it is appropriate that he refrain from…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5752, Vayeishev

“But have me in your remembrance… and mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this house.” (40:12) – “Yet the chief butler did not remember Yosef but forgot him.” (40:23)

Rashi explains that since Yosef put his trust in the butler, he was punished by being confined for two extra years. Rabeinu Bachya explains that undoubtedly, Yosef was a righteous baal bitachon (one who puts his complete trust in Hashem). Despite this characterization, he was punished with additional incarceration because Hashem is especially strict in appraising the actions of tzaddikim. Superficially, this indicates that true “bitachon” (trust) consists of doing absolutely nothing. Apparently Yosef should not have made any active attempt to gain release from prison. This would suggest that hishtadlus (exerting any effort) contradicts the concept of “bitachon”. Throughout…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And Yaakov dwelt in the land where his father settled.” (37:1)

Rashi comments: Yaakov desired to dwell in peace. And as a result the troubles of Yosef befell him. The righteous desire to dwell in peace! Hashem said, “Is it not sufficient for the righteous that which is prepared for them in Olam Haba, but they seek also in this world?” This Rashi needs explanation. It is hard to say that Hashem begrudges the righteous the benefits of this world. The Torah does not refer to the “retirement” of the righteous and their desire for various rewards. The reference is to the education and training of one’s children. Yaakov was…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“Because he was the son of his old age.” (37:3)

Rashi comments: And Unkelus translates ben zekunim as “he was a wise son to him” – whatever Yaakov learned from Shem and Ever he transmitted to Yosef. The commentary indicates that the source of the brothers’ jealousy of Yosef was that their father had transmitted to him the Torah he had studied at the Yeshiva of Shem and Eiver. They reasoned that just as with Avrohom and Yitzchok only one son was worthy of receiving the tradition from his father, so too, Yosef would be that one. The brothers then asked, “Why doesn’t our father also teach us the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And it came to pass at that time and Yehudah went down from his brothers.” (38:1)

Rashi comments: This is to teach us that his brothers lowered him from his exalted rank, when they saw their father’s grief. They said “You said to sell him. Had you said to return him, we would have listened to you.” Sforno comments in even stronger terms by claiming that the tragic loss of Yehuda’s two sons was a punishment for not insisting that Yosef be saved. The accusation being leveled at Yehudah and the resulting punishments seem overly severe. Surely had Yehudah felt that his brothers would accept his words, he would have asserted himself and demanded that Yosef …

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In 5751, Vayeishev

“And he went into the house to do his work.” (39:11)

Potiphar’s wife made every attempt to entice Yosef to sin. Chazal comment that it was the appearance of his father’s image which ultimately saved him from falling prey to her enticements. We may suggest a novel approach to the narrative of Yosef and Potiphar’s wife, which has its roots in Yosef’s whole approach to service of Hashem. Yaakov taught his children that one should be “a simple scholarly man dwelling in tents” and to simply maintain a low profile when associating with the rest of the world. This outlook mandates one to refrain from any form of assimilation, such as …

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“And he (Yosef) became a successful man, and he stayed in his Egyptian master’s house.” (39:3)

“And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt, and his baker had sinned against their master, the king of Egypt.”(40:1)

“And Yaakov dwelt… These are the generations of Yaakov, Yosef was seventeen years old.” (37:1-2)

“And a man found him wandering in the field, and the man questioned him, “What are you looking for?” (37:15)

“Come and let us sell him to the Yishmaelim, but our hand shall not be upon him.” (37:27)

“But have me in your remembrance… and mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this house.” (40:12) – “Yet the chief butler did not remember Yosef but forgot him.” (40:23)

“And Yaakov dwelt in the land where his father settled.” (37:1)

“Because he was the son of his old age.” (37:3)

“And it came to pass at that time and Yehudah went down from his brothers.” (38:1)

“And he went into the house to do his work.” (39:11)

YEARS

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