Difference between revisions of "Yosef/0"

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<li>None of the brothers – Rashbam</li>
 
<li>None of the brothers – Rashbam</li>
 
<li>Half of the brothers – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</li>
 
<li>Half of the brothers – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</li>
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<subcategory>Relationship to Yaakov
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<li><b>כִּי בֶן זְקֻנִים הוּא לוֹ</b>&#160;–&#160; What does this term mean and what does it suggest about why Yaakov loved Yosef?</li>
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<li>Similar to father&#160;–</li>
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<li>עיין צוואת יוסף י"ח:ד', ב"ר פ"ד:ג' - דעת ר' יהודה, תנחומא וישב</li>
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<li>ב', תרגום יונתן ל"ז:ג'.&#160; המדרש (ורש"י) דורש את "זקנים" כ"זיו איקונין</li>
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<li>Wise/ good looking - ארטפנוס (מצוטט באוסביוס מכתבי פוליהיסטור), פילון בעל יוסף ד', אונקלוס, Josephus Ant. 2:9, radak</li>
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<li>Served father- Ramban</li>
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<li>Youngest [cuz Binyamin not bron for&#160; awhile]/ born of old age - &#160;IE, Rashbam, Ra ben Ramabam, Ralbag – like a ben zekunim cuz nolad from Rachel after yesuh, Shadal</li>
 
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Version as of 04:53, 30 September 2018

Yosef – Overview

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Overview

The Yosef narratives extend from Bereshit 37 through the end of the book, providing the reader with significantly more details about Yosef's life, personality, and interactions than any of the other tribes.  His life progresses on a roller coaster of ups and downs, as his position as favored child morphs into that of degraded slave, then back to head of household, only to revert once more to forgotten prisoner.  He finally emerges as second in command to Paroh, paving the way for the family's descent to Egypt.

Throughout, Yosef is a composite of opposites.  He is both  loved and hated, admired and disdained.  He is a dreamer, but capable of facing harsh reality. He is an outsider who makes it in. He is a man who can control Egypt, but cannot hold in his tears. The various aspects of Yosef's character have invited multiple interpretations throughout centuries of exegesis, often resulting in contrasting portraits of the fascinating figure.

Family Life

Relationship to Siblings

Bereshit 37 discusses both the brother's sale of Yosef, and the jealousy and hatred which led to it. The chapter declares "וַיִּשְׂנְאוּ אֹתוֹ", implying that all the brothers hated Yosef equally.  However, not all commentators agree, as several verses might suggest otherwise:

  • "וְהוּא נַעַר אֶת בְּנֵי בִלְהָה וְאֶת בְּנֵי זִלְפָּה" – Commentators debate the meaning of this phrase and what it connotes about Yosef's relationship with the sons of the maidservants.
  • "וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת דִּבָּתָם רָעָה אֶל אֲבִיהֶם" – Commentators dispute whether Yosef slandered all of the brothers, or only some of them. This, too, might bear on his individual relationships with each sibling:1
  • "וַיַּחֲלֹם יוֹסֵף חֲלוֹם וַיַּגֵּד לְאֶחָיו" – Were all the brother equally upset by Yosef's sharing of his dreams of grandeur?
  • The Sale of Yosef– Did all the brothers participate in the sale? For analysis and the motivations for each reading, see Who Sold Yosef?
    • All of the brothers (except Reuven) – Most commentators
    • None of the brothers – Rashbam
    • Half of the brothers – R. Yosef Bekhor Shor

Relationship to Yaakov

  • כִּי בֶן זְקֻנִים הוּא לוֹ –  What does this term mean and what does it suggest about why Yaakov loved Yosef?
    • Similar to father –
    • עיין צוואת יוסף י"ח:ד', ב"ר פ"ד:ג' - דעת ר' יהודה, תנחומא וישב
    • ב', תרגום יונתן ל"ז:ג'.  המדרש (ורש"י) דורש את "זקנים" כ"זיו איקונין
    • Wise/ good looking - ארטפנוס (מצוטט באוסביוס מכתבי פוליהיסטור), פילון בעל יוסף ד', אונקלוס, Josephus Ant. 2:9, radak
    • Served father- Ramban
    • Youngest [cuz Binyamin not bron for  awhile]/ born of old age -  IE, Rashbam, Ra ben Ramabam, Ralbag – like a ben zekunim cuz nolad from Rachel after yesuh, Shadal

Unique Traits

Possible Flaws

Religious Identity