Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 39

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Overview

This index is meant to help the reader explore Biblical parallels, be they two accounts of the same event, stories with similar motifs and themes, or units of text which are linguistically similar and perhaps alluding one to the other. The page includes links to tools that aid in comparison, primary sources that touch upon the parallels, and summaries of and links to articles which analyze them in depth.

Jews in Foreign Courts: Yosef, Daniel, and Esther

The stories of Yosef, Daniel, and Esther all take place in exile and share many common motifs.

Articles / Lectures

  • See Yosef, Esther, and Daniel for a three-way exploration of parallels and contrasts.The article questions: Should the goal of Jewish life in the Diaspora be survival, as exemplified by Yosef and celebrated by Esther? Or should Jews be more ambitious, and attempt to demonstrate the power and beauty of the Jewish religion to others, as practiced by Daniel?
  • See Yosef and Megillat Esther for an in-depth of analysis of the parallels between the stories of Yosef and Esther. The article notes that though the hand of God is less blatant in exile, it still guides events. This is explicit in the Yosef narratives and the allusions to the story might serve to teach the reader that this is true in the story of Esther as well.
  • See Yosef and Daniel for an in-depth analysis of the parallels between the stories of Yosef and Daniel and the difference in emphasis in each on public observance of Judaism in exile.
  • See Esther and Joseph by Professor Yonatan Grossman and Dr. Yehoshua Reiss for further exploration of the parallels between the narratives of Yosef and Esther in foreign courts. The similarities between the two stories indicate that just as Hashem ensured Yosef’s success in Egypt, so too was He responsible for Esther’s victory in Persia.  Additionally, the insecurity of the Jews’ salvation in the story of Esther1 reminds us that, even when a Jew rises to prominence in a foreign court, there is no guarantee of the Jews’ future safety in the Diaspora.  
  • See the lecture, Jews in Foreign Palaces: Yosef, Daniel and Esther, by R. Mordechai Torczyner for analysis of the parallels between the three stories, looking at both the Biblical text as well as midrashic sources. R. Torczyner suggests three common qualities that are modeled by Yosef, Daniel, and Esther: faith and unwavering Jewish identity, commitment to sanctifying God’s name, and interest in helping those around them (including people with whom they have little in common and even those who are enemies).

Mrs. Potiphar and Yosef

The story of Yosef and Mrs. Potiphar is told three times, once in the narrative voice (Bereshit 39:12-14), once when Mrs. Potiphar relays the event to her household (verses 14-16), and once when she relays it her husband (verses 17-18).

Tools

  • Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the various accounts and understand Mrs. Potiphar's strategy in what she chooses to share to whom and why.

Articles

  • See Nehama Leibowitz’s עיונים חדשים בפר בראשית (Jerusalem, 1992): 294-298 for discussion of how Mrs. Potiphars varies her words so as to find the most favor in her audience. 

Yosef and Yehuda

There are a number of parallels and contrasts between the story of Yehuda’s encounter with Tamar and of Yosef’s encounter with Mrs. Potiphar.

Primary Sources

Articles

  •  See Yosef and Yehuda by R. Michael Hattin for analysis of the parallels and contrasts between the two narratives.  He suggests that these reflect the two models of leadership represented by Yehuda and Yosef.  Yehuda stands out in his willingness to take ownership for error and wrongdoing, whereas Yosef is characterized by his moral responsibility, not succumbing to the temptations of self-gratification.  Both of these are important principles of successful national leadership.  
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