Daily Chumash & Rashi Mikeitz Shelishi: Yosef is appointed viceroy (Tuesday, 26th Kisleiv)

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Shelishi

  1. Yosef is appointed viceroy:
    • Pharaoh told Yosef that since Hashem revealed to him all this information, there must be no one as wise as you, and therefore he is appointing him the viceroy. Every order will come through your hands, and only the kingship will I hold over you.
    • The inauguration of Yosef: Pharaoh removed his signet ring and placed it on the hand of Yosef. He garbed him in linen clothing and placed a golden chain around his neck. Yosef was taken for a ride in the king’s royal wagon and they proclaimed before him “Avreich, Kings advisor.” Pharaoh told Yosef that he is the king and without Yosef’s consent, no one can raise a hand and foot. Pharaoh called Yosef the name Tzafnas Paneach.
    • Yosef gets married: Pharaoh gave Yosef as a wife, a woman named Asnas, the daughter of the chief butcher. Yosef was 30 years old at the time that he became ruler. He went out from the audience with Pharaoh and visited the entire land of Egypt.
  1. The years of plenty:
    • In the seven years of plenty, the earth produced much grain. The excess grain was gathered from the fields and placed in the cities [in storage]. The grain was as plentiful as the sand of the sea and was uncountable.
  1. Yosef has children:
    • Yosef had two children with Asnas prior to the arrival of the years of famine.
    • The first son was named Menashe, after the fact that Hashem allowed Yosef to forget his suffering and the home of his father.
    • The second son was named Ephraim, over the fact that Hashem made him multiply in his land of suffering.

Q1: Why does Pharaoh say, “אֵֽין־נָבוֹן וְחָכָם כָּמֽוֹךָ” (There is no one as discerning and wise as you)?

A: Rashi explains that Pharaoh refers back to Yosef’s own suggestion to appoint a wise man. Pharaoh declares that no one matches Yosef in wisdom and understanding.

 

Q2: What does “יִשַּׁק” mean in “By your orders will all my people be provided for”?

A: Rashi says it means “will be sustained” or “provided for,” as Onkelos translates: יִתְּזַן. Similar uses appear in “administrator (מֶשֶׁק)” and “provide yourselves (נַשְּׁקוּ) with purity.”

 

Q3: What is the meaning of “רַק הַכִּסֵּא” (Only by the throne will I outrank you)?

A: Rashi explains that “כִּסֵּא” refers to royal status—Pharaoh remains king, but Yosef is second only to him.

Q4: Why does Pharaoh give Yosef his signet ring?

A: Rashi says giving the king’s ring signifies that the recipient becomes second in rank to the king.

 

Q5: What are “בִּגְדֵי־שֵׁשׁ” and “רְבִד”?

A:

  • בִּגְדֵי־שֵׁשׁ: Linen garments, a mark of honor in Egypt.
  • רְבִד: A gold chain, called so because it consists of rows of links.

 

Q6: What does “אַבְרֵךְ” mean when proclaimed before Yosef?

A:

  • Onkelos: “This is the king’s counselor.”
  • Aggadah: Rabbi Yehudah—Yosef was “אב” (father in wisdom) yet “רך” (tender in years).
  • Rabbi Yosei—It comes from “knees,” meaning everyone bowed to him.

 

Q7: Why does Pharaoh say, “אֲנִי פַּרְעֹה” again?

A: Rashi explains it reaffirms Pharaoh’s authority while granting Yosef power, similar to “Only by the throne will I outrank you.”

 

Q8: What does Yosef’s new name “צָֽפְנַת פַּעְנֵחַ” mean?

A: Rashi says it means “he who deciphers hidden matters.” There is no other occurrence of פַּעְנֵחַ in Tanach.

 

Q9: Why is Potiphera mentioned, and what does Rashi say about him?

A: Potiphera is Potiphar, renamed because he became impotent after attempting homosexual relations with Yosef.

 

Q10: What halachic lesson does Rashi derive from “בְּטֶרֶם תבוא שְׁנַת הָרָעָב” (Before the year of famine arrived)?

A: It teaches that marital relations are forbidden during years of famine.

 

Q11: What is the meaning behind the names Menasheh and Ephraim?

A:

  • Menasheh: “G‑d has made me forget my hardship and my father’s house.”
  • Ephraim: “G‑d has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

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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