VBM THE COST OF EXILE By Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein
A Hebrew Man
At first glance, the story of Yosef and his brothers seems to have a happy end, with the family reuniting in Egypt and Yosef tending to all of his family's needs. As we shall see, however, Yosef is characterized by tragedy.
The Midrash in Devarim Rabba describes the difference between Moshe and Yosef. While Moshe is buried in the plains of Moav, Yosef merits being buried in the land of Israel. Why did Yosef merit that which Moshe did not? The Midrash explains that Moshe made no effort to identify himself as a Jew, a Hebrew, an Israelite. When the daughters of Yitro first see him, they describe him as an Egyptian: “And they said: An Egyptian man delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds” (Shemot 2:19).
In contrast, Yosef repeatedly emphasizes his identity. He feels his Jewish, Israelite identity in every fiber of his body. Thus, for example, he describes himself in his conversation with the chief butler and chief baker: “For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews” (Bereishit 40:15). So too in his encounter with Potifar's wife, Yosef decides to stand his ground. Here we must consider the great temptation he faced. The greatest temptation was, of course, Potifar's wife herself, who did everything she could to seduce Yosef. Beyond that, however, submitting to Potifar's wife would provide him with an opportunity to free himself of the slave status with which he was currently shackled. Yosef is aware of this opportunity, but he knows that such conduct would involve giving up his identity as an Israelite. Yosef successfully withstands the temptation, chooses to follow in the path of the image of his father, and stands firm in his Jewish identity.
A Hebrew Man
At first glance, the story of Yosef and his brothers seems to have a happy end, with the family reuniting in Egypt and Yosef tending to all of his family's needs. As we shall see, however, Yosef is characterized by tragedy.
The Midrash in Devarim Rabba describes the difference between Moshe and Yosef. While Moshe is buried in the plains of Moav, Yosef merits being buried in the land of Israel. Why did Yosef merit that which Moshe did not? The Midrash explains that Moshe made no effort to identify himself as a Jew, a Hebrew, an Israelite. When the daughters of Yitro first see him, they describe him as an Egyptian: “And they said: An Egyptian man delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds” (Shemot 2:19).
In contrast, Yosef repeatedly emphasizes his identity. He feels his Jewish, Israelite identity in every fiber of his body. Thus, for example, he describes himself in his conversation with the chief butler and chief baker: “For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews” (Bereishit 40:15). So too in his encounter with Potifar's wife, Yosef decides to stand his ground. Here we must consider the great temptation he faced. The greatest temptation was, of course, Potifar's wife herself, who did everything she could to seduce Yosef. Beyond that, however, submitting to Potifar's wife would provide him with an opportunity to free himself of the slave status with which he was currently shackled. Yosef is aware of this opportunity, but he knows that such conduct would involve giving up his identity as an Israelite. Yosef successfully withstands the temptation, chooses to follow in the path of the image of his father, and stands firm in his Jewish identity.
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