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Your portion of the weekly portion - and this week we will discuss "BeShalax". our Biblical Hebrew newsletter is happy to present you the Jewish weekly portion of the week, which is read during prayer services on the Sabbath.
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Dear friends,
Today we will discuss perhaps the most important son of Jacob in the Genesis narrative: Joseph. Born to Rachel and Jacob after years of barrenness, Jacob was his father's favorite, and a central figure in Israelite History whose actions had a long term impact. The death of his mother, Rachel, while giving birth to his younger brother, Benjamin, contributed to Jacob's great love for Joseph.
Birth
Joseph's begetting and birth are described in Genesis 30:22-24. We hear that God remembered Rachel and opened her womb, and as a result she became pregnant and gave birth to Joseph.
Naming
The name Joseph is literally a conjugated verb from the root יס"ף, which means "He (God) shall add", because Rachel names Joseph thus asking to have an additional son.
Personal History
Of all the sons of Jacob, Joseph is the one about whom we hear the most, one of the central figures of the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 37, we learn that Joseph was Jacob's favorite son, who received special attention and a gift from his father - a robe with sleeves, which is often interpreted (mistakenly) as a coat of many colors, because the Hebrew word פסים, meaning sleeves, was misunderstood. Despite the fact that it is a false interpretation, it inspired the wonderful musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
As though being his father's favorite was not reason enough for his brothers to envy him, Joseph also reported two dreams, the obvious interpretation of which was that he would rule over his brothers in times to come. In the first, all the brothers were binding sheaves in the field, and the sheaves of the other brothers bowed down to his. In the second, eleven stars, representing the brothers, and the sun and moon, representing his parents, bowed down to him. These dreams caused further deterioration in the relationship between Joseph and his brothers, and they could not even speak to him.
One day, Jacob sends Joseph to look for his brothers who were out tending the flocks in the Shechem area. The brothers plot to kill him and throw him into a pit. However, in the end they decide to sell him to some Ishmaelites passing by, and he ends up as a slave in Egypt.
Joseph being pulled from the pit and sold to the Ishmaelites, by Tissot
In Egypt, Joseph is sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. However, he soon gets into trouble when Potiphar's wife tries to seduce the good looking Joseph, and when he refuses, accuses him of attempted rape. He is then thrown in prison, with little to no prospects of release. In prison, he assists Pharaoh's baker and cup bearer in interpreting their dreams, an interpretation which is soon proven to be correct – the baker is hanged while the cup bearer is released and reinstated. This is the key to Joseph's release, because two years later, Pharaoh is in need of assistance in interpreting strange dreams he had, and it is the cupbearer who suggests bringing Joseph.
Pharaoh's well known dreams include one dream in which seven thin cows devour seven healthy cows, and another similar dream in which seven thin shafts of wheat devour the fat. It is important to note that cows were an important symbol of plenty in the Ancient Egyptian culture.
Joseph explains that seven years of hunger will be coming upon Egypt, however, they will be preceded by seven good years, during which food must be horded in order to sustain Egypt during the years of hunger. Joseph's wisdom is appreciated, and he is appointed as a high official in Egypt, second only to the king. During the seven years of plenty Joseph hoards enough food to last through the years of famine.
During the famine, Joseph's brothers come down to Egypt in search of food. They do not recognize Joseph, who recognizes them immediately.
You are welcome to read more about Joseph and his encounters with his brothers in Egypt in a special newsletter we will soon dedicate to that part of the Joseph story.
As for Joseph's personal life, we are told that he married in Egypt, and had two sons: Ephraim and Manasseh, each of whom is considered the forefather of one of the tribes. He died in Egypt, but asked that his bones be brought back to Canaan, and in fact, upon the Exodus, we are told that Moses took Joseph's bones with him.
Future as described in the blessings of Jacob and Moses
In the blessing of Jacob, Joseph is blessed as a fruitful vine, and as one who overcomes his enemies. This teaches us of the strong character of the tribes of Joseph and of their success, as well as the fruitfulness of their land. In the blessing of Moses, we also hear of the fruitfulness of Joseph's land and of their success as warriors.
The Tribe in Biblical History
Joseph is in fact the forefather of two important tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. We will discuss each tribe's history when dealing with them (a newsletter which will be published one month from now).
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