Yosef's Economic Policies/2

Yosef's Economic Policies

Exegetical Approaches

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Development of Yosef's Character

The details of Yosef's economic policies help the reader better appreciate the character of Yosef, revealing both his intense care for his family and his wisdom in dealing with the Egyptian crisis.

Sources:PhiloOn Joseph, 43About Philo, Talmud BavliChulin 60bAbout the Bavli, RashiBereshit 47:17,19,21About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RadakBereshit 46:3-4Bereshit 47:14,15,21About R. David Kimchi, RambanBereshit 47:14-19About R. Moshe Nachmanides, Ralbag, Maasei Hashem, Keli YekarBereshit 47:21,27About Keli Yekar, Or HaChayyimBereshit 47:15,23,25About R. Chayyim b. Atar, Shadal, R. S"R HirschBereshit 47:21,22,26About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, Neziv

Backdrop to Israelite Bondage

The story lays the background for the Egyptian enslavement of the Israelites.  Yosef's enslaving of the Egyptians later led to a backlash against his family who had been spared the severe policy.

Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor ShorBereshit 47:21Shemot 1:11About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, Modern Scholars¹

Cause of Prolonged Stay

The harsh conditions of the famine, highlighted in this episode, explain why Yaakov's family did not simply return to Canaan immediately, but rather stayed on foreign soil.

¹ See D. Sabato, "", Megadim 42, Prof. U. Simon, "יוסף משעבד את המצרים לפרעה"  available here, and Tamir Garnot, "מנהיגותו של יוסף במצרים" available here.