Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Vayigash Sheiyni: Yosef reveals himself to the brothers (Monday, 2nd Teves)

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Sheiyni

  • When Yaakov will see that Binyamin did not return, he will die.”
  • “I have become a personal guarantor for the return of my brother, let me then sit as a slave in place of my brother, and let the lad return back home with his brothers. How can I return without my brother and witness the evil that will befall my father?”
  1. Yosef reveals himself to the brothers:
    • Yosef could no longer hold himself back and he asked everyone [except for his brothers] to leave his presence, so he could reveal himself to his brothers.
    • Yosef cried and the news was heard in the Egypt and in the house of Pharaoh.
    • Yosef told his brothers “I am Yosef, is my father still alive?” The brothers could not answer him, due to shock. Yosef requested the brothers come forward and repeated and said “I am Yosef your brother who you sold to the Egyptians. Now, do not be saddened or angry that you sold me here, as G-d sent me here to provide food. There has thus far been two years of famine, and another five years remain. Hashem sent me here to support you and give you food.”

Q&A on Rashi

According to Rashi, what does “when he sees that the lad is not there, he will die” mean?
Yaakov will die as a result of his anguish.

Why does Yehudah say he, specifically, is speaking to Yosef about Binyamin? (Rashi)
Because Yehudah personally guaranteed Binyamin’s return and accepted to be ostracized in both worlds if he failed.

What does Rashi say about Yehudah’s offer to remain as a slave instead of Binyamin?
Yehudah says he is superior to Binyamin in strength, battle, and service.

Why does Yehudah say he cannot return to his father without Binyamin? (Rashi)
He cannot bear to witness the calamity that would befall his father.

According to Rashi, why does Yosef ask everyone to leave before revealing himself?
Yosef could not bear the thought of the Egyptians witnessing his brothers’ shame.

What does Rashi say about Yosef’s loud weeping?
The Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard Yosef’s weeping; “house” here means household, not a physical house.

What does Rashi say about the brothers’ reaction to Yosef’s revelation?
They were disconcerted and ashamed before him.

Why does Yosef ask his brothers to approach him? (Rashi)
He saw them retreating in shame and called them closer in a gentle tone, showing them he was circumcised.

According to Rashi, why does Yosef tell his brothers not to be distressed or angry?
Because G‑d sent him ahead to provide for them.

What does “to be a provider of livelihood for you” mean, according to Rashi?
Yosef was sent to sustain them during the famine.

How does Rashi explain “for here two years the famine”?
Two years have already passed of the famine.

What does Rashi say about G‑d sending Yosef ahead?
G‑d sent Yosef to ensure their survival and to sustain them with a great deliverance.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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