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“And he saw the wagons that Yosef had sent to transport him.” (45:27)

Chazal teach us that Yosef had a specific motivation in sending “agalos,” wagons. The Hebrew word “agalah,” wagon, is similar to the word “eglah,” calf. Yosef intended to provide a hint to Yaakov, referring to the laws of the eglah arufah (the calf which was killed as a symbol of the innocence of the elders of a city where a murder had been committed), which was the last section of halachah that Yosef had studied with Yaakov. He thereby demonstrated to his father that he had not forgotten his studies. Also, Yosef had taken leave of his father without escort…

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“And he fell upon his brother Binyamin’s neck and wept; and Binyamin wept upon his neck.” (45:14)

Chazal teach us that Yosef and Binyamin wept over the destruction of the Sanctuaries that would be built in their respective territories. Two Batei Mikdash were to be constructed in Binyamin’s territory, and the Mishkan Shiloh was to be erected in Yosef’s portion. This Midrash has been the source of considerable discussion. One would think that at a time of such heightened joy, the last thing that would enter their minds would be tragedy. Second, why are they crying about the churban of the other? What about their own? Obviously, we are not talking about common people, whose prime concern…

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“And Yosef said to his brothers, ‘I am Yosef.’ … and his brothers could not answer him.” (45:3)

In the Midrash, Chazal quote Abba Bardela who said, “Woe is to us from the day of judgment. Woe is to us from the day of reproach. Bilaam, the wisest of the gentiles, could not stand before the rebuke of his donkey. Yosef was the youngest of the tribes. Yet, his brothers could not stand before him. How much more so, when Hashem will come and reproach everyone according to what he is, will we not be able to tolerate this rebuke.” This Chazal has been the subject of considerable discussion. It has served as the basis for defining the…

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“And Yehudah approached him and said, ‘If you please, my master, may your servant speak a word?'” (44:18)

Rashi views Yehudah’s opening statement as blunt and provocative. Yehudah was telling Yosef that if he did not release Binyamin, dire consequences would ensue. If necessary, Yehudah was prepared to wage war against Yosef and his country in order to effect Binyamin’s release from captivity. What happened? Yehudah seems to have undergone a remarkable personality change. In his previous encounter with Yosef, Yehudah appeared to be a meek, simple person, imploring Yosef to exercise his good graces towards them. Suddenly, Yehudah had become the mighty statesman, who threatened to wage war and heap disaster upon Egypt if he did not…

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