Parshas VaYayshev introduces
Yosef saying that these are the generations of Ya'akov. Rashi discusses the
word "generations" (תלדות)
explaining that Yosef had the aura (זיו איקונין) of Ya'akov. In addition similar events befell the two of
them, specifically extreme hostility from their brothers. The same language is
also used in regards to Yitzchak being the next generation of Avraham. In
addition Yitzchak is described by the commentaries of having the aura of
Avraham his father, plus there were difficulties with Ishmael his brother.
Ya'akov has a special love for
Yosef because he is the son of his old age (בן זקנים). The term is often understood to mean that Yosef was born when
Ya'akov was an old man. Onkelos, though, renders the term as son of his wisdom.
The Ramban follows the reasoning of Onkelos pointing out that Yisacher and
Zebulon are not more than a year or two older than Yosef. He continues that Yosef was wise and
knowledgeable in the eyes of his father plus his reasoning was like the
reasoning of an elder. He also brings a Midrash (Bereshis Raba 84:8) that all
of the wisdom and insights into the Torah that Ya'akov had gleaned, he gave
over to Yosef. Therefore Yosef was an astute master of all of this knowledge as
if he was old and full of experience.
The Chumash will often see an
ancestral line as a distinct and important entity. Yosef is unique among the
brothers in that he is a continuation of the patriarchs as opposed to the
founder of a new and independent line. As a result he is working on and
advancing the family projects that came before him, some of which are very
difficult.
The Chumash recounts that Yosef
was shepherding the flock with his brothers with sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his
father's wives, and he reported their negative meanderings to their
father. In connection with being placed in charge of the brother's, Yosef is
given by his father a fancy robe. Bilhah and Zilpah in fact, though, were
concubines, consequently the sons of Leah, referred their children as servants.
To a significant extent Yosef and his brother Benyamin have been raised by
Bilhah. Therefore it is not surprising that he would complain that all of the
brothers should be considered brothers and that their mothers should be called
Ya'akov's wives as well. This is different from the situation of Yismael, who
does not inherit Avraham with Yitzchak, and Hagar who is always considered a
servant. In affect Yosef is saying that the family hierarchy has advanced. None
of the father's sons are to be reckoned servants rather they are all brothers. However,
one of the brothers is now a prince.
This theme is reflected in the
dream of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to Yosef. There could have
been bright and faint stars and four moons. The idea is that they should all
see themselves to a certain extent as sons of Rachel. Ya'akov accepts as
prophetic the dream's anointment of Yosef as the leader of the family. However
what Yosef is proposing, reflects the inner ideas of himself and Avraham. The
idea that the matriarchs will be built up by giving their maid servants to
their husbands stems from the idea that the biological son of the servant girl
will be the adopted son of the mistress. After much travail the brothers fully
accept this idea and say to Yosef, who they perceive at the time as the viceroy
of Egypt, "We are all sons of one man who is in Canaan, the youngest is
presently with him and the other is not with us", (Bereshis 42:13).
The more fundamental issue though
is that of a new generation and a new advance. When a person first starts
having children lack of experience forces him to rely on his parent's
assistance. Therefore the older children are more influenced by family
traditions. However, with the younger ones the parents are fully capable and
raise them as they see fit. This includes giving over the wisdom and the values
they consider important. It comes out that knowledge that a parent took a
lifetime to acquire are part of the child's basic education. Never the less the
naivety of youth is present. There may be a special love by the parent because
the child is advancing deeply held but concealed beliefs. This, though, may
spark jealousy in addition to the normal opposition to new ideas.
The story of Yosef is a
manifestation of the Kabalistic idea of a light from above being shined into a
dark world. He is the elite of the brothers. This means that he can express
inchoate ideas whose time has arrived. However this special insight comes with
the burden of opposition and isolation.
To view on YouTube click:
http://youtu.be/cBoffvzkk5k
תרגום לעברית
http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com/2013/11/blog-post.html
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