Vayechi 5771 Volume XVIII Number 14 Toras Aish Thoughts From Across the Torah Spectrum elsewhere (or differently), so Rashi taking the more RABBI DOV KRAMER straightforward approach, that it was Yosef's Taking a Closer Look righteousness that had been (but was no longer) in question, and was the reason Yaakov now realized that nd Yisroel bowed towards the head of the bed" all of his children were righteous, comes as no surprise. (Beraishis 47:31). "[Yaakov was bowing The Midrash attributing Yaakov's gratitude to his “Atowards G-d, giving thanks] that his bed was realization that Reuvain had repented, however, does. complete, without anybody wicked [from] it" (Rashi). Reuvain wasn't even there, and his repentance had Although Yaakov had always been very concerned that been done many years earlier. What led Yaakov to first just as his grandfather Avraham had a son Yishmael, realize now that Reuvain was also righteous, so that and his father Yitzchok had a son Eisav, perhaps he too after his private conversation with Yosef he thanked G-d would have a wicked son, or sons (see Pesachim 56a for "his complete bed?" and Sifre, Devarim 31), now, towards the end of his life Rabbi Naftali Katz (the Maharal's grandson) is (and after seeing that Yosef was also righteous), quoted in "Meira Dachya," a commentary on Rashi by Yaakov was confident that this was not the case, and Rabbi Mordechai HaLevi of Slavits (and the first of two that his "bed" was "complete." commentaries printed in "Dikdukay Rashi") as having a Rashi continues by explaining how Yaakov different approach as to how Yosef being a king made knew "his bed was complete," "for Yosef was a king, Yaakov realize that "his bed was complete." When the and also had been a captive among the nations, and brothers first wanted to kill Yosef (Beraishis 37:20), [yet] he remained righteous." While we can easily Reuvain saved him by convincing his brothers to throw understand why Rashi included Yosef maintaining his Yosef into a pit (alive) instead, intending to return later righteousness in a foreign culture as a way Yaakov and take him back home to their father (37:22). Chazal knew "his bed was complete," Yosef being a king does (Beraishis Rabbah 84:15) tell us that the reason not have as obvious a connection to this realization. Reuvain saved Yosef was based on Yosef having 11 Several commentators (e.g. Maharik, Maysiach Ilmim stars in his dream; "I thought I was pushed out (of the and Be'er Yitzchok) explain that it is much more likely family and its mission) because of that incident, [yet] he for a king to have moral and ethical lapses. Therefore, counts me among my brothers, and I shouldn't save upon seeing that despite his power and status, and him?" While most understand this to mean "he was nice despite spending so many years in Egypt, Yosef was to me so I'll be nice to him," Rabbi Katz suggests that still righteous, Yaakov thanked G-d that all of his Reuvain meant much more than that. If Yosef's dream children had stayed true to the Abrahamic mission. was a form of prophecy, it would mean that included in "Bowing towards the head of the bed" referring G-d's message to/through Yosef was that he had 11 to Yaakov giving thanks that all of his children were brothers, not just 10, and that Reuvain was still a part of righteous is mentioned in Chazal (the aforementioned the family (at least when the dream is fulfilled). If, on the Sifre on Devarim 6:4). However, it is not Yosef whom other hand, it was just the silly dream of a silly Yaakov is expressing gratitude about, but Reuvain. youngster, it wouldn't have any bearing on Reuvain's Yaakov was concerned that Reuvain had not repented status. When the brothers wanted to kill Yosef, Reuvain for his sin regarding Bilhah (see Beraishis 35:22), and realized that this would nullify the dream, as Yosef was therefore not considered righteous. After realizing would never became a king, and the 11 stars in the that Reuvain had in fact repented, Yaakov thanked G-d dream could not be part of a divine prophecy. He that "his bed was complete." It is not unusual for Rashi therefore saved Yosef, hoping that the dream would to take a thought or idea from Chazal and apply it someday be fulfilled, thus indicating that he was This issue of Toras Aish is dedicated by forgiven. Based on this, Rabbi Katz says that Yaakov Mr. & Mrs. Itzy Weisberg also realized that if Yosef's dream came true, Reuvain in memory of must have repented, and "his bed was complete." Mr. Hyman Weisberg z"l This is supported by the comments of several L”z qzyya qHcy Nb NSyn MyyH Rishonim (e.g. Chiskuni, Pa'anayach Raza, Rabbeinu k”st tbT v”T rTpn Avraham ben HaRambam), who say that Yaakov's bowing to Yosef now was the fulfillment of that part of 2 Toras Aish that his family would never bow down to him if they TORAS AISH IS A WEEKLY PARSHA knew it was him. Many have questioned how Yosef NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTED VIA EMAIL AND THE could allow his father to suffer for all those years just to WORLD WIDE WEB AT HTTP://AISHDAS.ORG. make sure his dreams came true, especially since FOR MORE INFO EMAIL [email protected] fulfilling dreams and prophecies are G-d's domain, not The material presented in this publication was collected from publicly available electronic mail, computer archives and the ours (see www.aishdas.org/ta/5767/miketz.pdf, pg. 2). If UseNet. It is being presented with the permission of the respective Yosef knew that his father wanted the dreams to be authors. Toras Aish is an independent publication, and does not fulfilled so that he could know that Reuvain had necessarily reflect the views of any given synagogue. repented and that "his bed was complete," and thought TO DEDICATE THIS NEWSLETTER PLEASE CALL it was so important to him that it outweighed the pain of 973-472-0180 OR EMAIL [email protected] thinking Yosef was dead, we can understand why Yosef the dream. Midrash Lekach Tov takes it a step further, waited for the dreams to come true. © 2010 Rabbi D. suggesting that the reason Yaakov bowed to Yosef was Kramer in order to fulfill the dream. Although Rabbi Katz was RABBI AVI WEISS trying to explain why Rashi mentioned Yosef being a king, it is possible that this is why the Sifre says that Shabbat Forshpeis Yaakov thanked G-d now for having a "complete bed" otified that his father Yaakov (Jacob) is sick, based on Reuvain being righteous; after Yaakov made Yosef (Joseph) takes his sons Ephraim and sure the dream could be considered prophetic (by NMenashe to see their grandfather. As they enter, bowing to Yosef), he realized that Reuvain had Yaakov proclaims "mi eileh?" "Who are these?" repented, and that all of his children, including Reuvain (Genesis 48:8) Having already been in Egypt for 17 and Yosef, were righteous. years, is it possible that Yaakov didn't know the identity After quoting Rabbi Katz, Rabbi Mordechai of his grandsons? HaLevi adds that this gives added meaning to Yaakov Some commentators suggest a physical reason "watching the matter" (37:11), which Rashi explains to for Yaakov's question. Bearing in mind that Yaakov mean, "was waiting and hoping for it to happen." could not see, he could not recognize his grandsons Yaakov was not only anxious for Yosef to become king, even as they stand before him. but for the dream to come true, which would indicate Other commentators suggest that Yaakov's that Reuvain was also righteous. Rabbi Katz's approach question "mi eileh?" does not refer to his grandsons is also quoted in "Gan Raveh," with the commentary themselves, but rather a question about their progeny. "Divrey Chanoch" adding that this is why, after seeing Prophetically, Yaakov discerned that amongst the that Yosef was no longer in the pit, Reuvain said, "as for descendants of Ephraim and Menashe would be evil I, what will become of me" (37:30); since Yosef was people. Yaakov inquires, "who are they?" How is it gone, he couldn't become king, and if Yosef couldn't possible that such evil men could come from good become king, he just had a silly dream not a prophecy, people like Ephraim and Menashe? and if it wasn't a prophecy there was no indication that Other commentators insist that Yaakov asked he was still part of the family. I would like to add two "who are these?" to precipitate a "nachas report" from more thoughts based on Rabbi Katz's suggestion. Yosef about the moral, spiritual and religious progress I have previously discussed why Reuvain was of Ephraim and Menashe. (Genesis 48:9) But there is busy repenting for a sin he had committed nine years another approach. Yaakov may not recognize his earlier specifically when the brothers were trying to get grandchildren because he has little relationship with rid of Yosef (see www.aishdas.org/ta/5769/ them. This could be because Yosef rarely ever took vayeishev.pdf, pg. 4). Although an earlier opinion in the them to Ya'akov. Sifre in Devarim says that Reuvain was involved in Yosef may have denied his father this repenting all of his days (so there need not be any relationship because of possible ill will towards Yaakov connection between Reuvain repenting and what the for having sent Yosef to his brothers to make peace, a brothers tried to do to Yosef), some indicate that this plan which, of course, backfired.