Vayeishev – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

“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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וימאן

Sruly Schnair In 5785, Vayeishev

But he (Yosef) adamantly refused. (39:8)

Chazal (Yoma 35:13) teach that, if a wicked person (his neshamah, soul) comes before the Heavenly Tribunal and is asked, “Why did you not engage in Torah study?” and he replies, “I was handsome and preoccupied with my evil inclination,” we reply to him, “Were you any more handsome than Yosef who did not neglect Torah, despite his beauty?” Chazal go on to describe Potifar’s wife’s various machinations to entice Yosef to be with her. He rejected it all because of his abiding devotion to Hashem. This may be good and well, but Chazal (Sotah 36B) add something to the…

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“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)

וימאן

But he (Yosef) adamantly refused. (39:8)

YEARS

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