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38

December 28 • 2006

11 , 1201:

n this week's parshah,
Joseph. However, just when
Joseph is sent by
a sense of security develops,
Jacob to Shechem to
Joseph demonstrates his
check on his brothers. In
greatest cruelty. He "frames"
the fields outside the city,
Benjamin, planting a silver
he encounters a stranger.
goblet in his knapsack.
"What do you seek,"
Joseph accuses Jacob's sons
says the man. "I seek my
of stealing. The brothers are
Rabbi Yigal
brothers:' replies Joseph.
shocked. Should Joseph find
Tsaidi
"They have traveled mi-
the thief among them, they
Special
to the
zehlfrom zeh, i.e., from
vow, let him put that brother
Jewish News
this], answers the man.
to death and the others
(Genesis, 37:17).
will serve Joseph for life. To
Rashi is particularly puzzled by the
their chagrin, the goblet is found with
use of the word "mi-zeh"Rashi sees
Benjamin.
in the stranger's words a cryptic warn-
Judah again offers the brothers
ing to Joseph. "Your brothers wish to
as slaves; Joseph refuses. Infuriated,
murder you. They no longer want to
Judah tells Joseph, "For you are like
be a group of 12. For their part, 11
Pharaoh." Rashi explains that Judah's
brother brothers are sufficient."
comment carries a veiled threat.
Our sages view the word zeh not as
Judah and his brothers are prepared
a physical location, but as an indica-
to do battle, killing both Joseph and
tion of the emotional distance the
Pharaoh if necessary. This time, they
brothers have traveled from Joseph.
will not relinquish their brother.
Zeh has the numerical value of 12.
Our original question, however
Jacob's sons have "traveled from zeh,"
remains unanswered. Why the cruel
rejecting their status as a family of 12. charade? Maimonides [Mishneh
Indeed, when Joseph finds his
Torah, Chapter Two] provides an
brothers, they are bent upon killing
answer. He writes that if one sins,
him. Judah proposes a compromise.
complete repentance can only be
"What will we gain by killing our
demonstrated when the individual
brother? Let us instead sell him ... he withstands temptation while under
is our brother..." [emphasis added]
identical circumstances. Judah's
The story progresses. Joseph is sold, threat leaves no room for doubt. He
undergoes much hardship, but even-
has repented; they have returned to
tually he rises in stature, becoming
zeh, determined to remain a unit.
Pharaoh's viceroy. Strangely, Joseph
When Joseph is finally alone with
does not contact his aged father to
his 11 brothers, he reveals:
ease his heart. Moreover, when famine
"I am Joseph. Does my father still
brings Joseph's brothers to Egypt, he
live?" To which the brothers answer,
not only pretends that his brothers
"Od avinu chai. Joseph's father is
are strangers, but also accuses them
Jacob-Yisrael." Both Jacob-Yisrael
of espionage. He prevents them from
and his sons, the B'nai Yisrael, live and
returning unless they accept his
are united: Am Yisrael Chai! '
proposition.
"You will not leave this unless your
Dr. Yigal Tsaidi is educational director of
youngest brother [Benjamin] comes
Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield.
here." (Genesis 42:15). Joseph then
imprisons Simon to assure the return
of the others. Again, the use of the
Conversations
word "this" is problematic. One also
What was Joseph's aim in seek-
wonders at Joseph's harsh actions.
ing out his brothers even though
Does the Torah not prohibit taking
he knew that he was in danger?
revenge? By what right does Joseph
Is callousness a good or bad
torment his brothers gratuitously?
trait? Was Joseph cruel to his
When the brothers eventually return
brothers? If not, how would you
to Egypt, they are invited to dine with
describe his actions?