5756

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…

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…