Difference between revisions of "Yosef/0"

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<category>Possible Flaws
 
<category>Possible Flaws
 
<subcategory>Tale-bearing
 
<subcategory>Tale-bearing
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<p>Bereshit 37:3 tell that Yosef spoke ill of his brothers to his father. Commentators debate both whether Yosef told the truth (ie. whether the brothers were guilty of the actions reported), and how his tale-bearing should be evaluated regardless:</p>
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<li>Both sides did wrong - bereshit rabbah and Rashi imply that Yosef told teh truth, but that nonetheless it was wrong to speak o fhis brothers.</li>
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<li>Only Yosef did wrong –</li>
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<li>Neither side did wrong–</li>
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</ul>
 
</subcategory>
 
</subcategory>
 
<subcategory>Vanity and Haughtiness
 
<subcategory>Vanity and Haughtiness

Version as of 06:27, 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 Brothers

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?

Relationship to Family When in Egypt

When in Egypt It is difficult to understand what motivates the various actions taken by Yosef upon becoming second-in-command and seeing his brothers in Egypt. 

  • Why does he not contact his beloved father after so many years apart?
  • Why does he treat his brothers, and especially Binyamin, whom he had no reason to hate, so harshly?
  • Why does he, simultaneously, put on a show of good will to his siblings, returning their money and giving them presents? Is he still angry or has time allowed him to forgive and forget?
  • For a full discussion of these issues and relevant sources, see Yosef's Treatment of his Family and Why Did Yosef Frame Binyamin.

Marriage and Children

"וַיִּתֶּן לוֹ אֶת אָסְנַת בַּת פּוֹטִי פֶרַע כֹּהֵן אֹן לְאִשָּׁה" –Did Yosef marry a daughter of an idolatrous priest?6

Unique Traits

Administrative Skills

Dream Interpretation

Possible Flaws

Tale-bearing

Bereshit 37:3 tell that Yosef spoke ill of his brothers to his father. Commentators debate both whether Yosef told the truth (ie. whether the brothers were guilty of the actions reported), and how his tale-bearing should be evaluated regardless:

  • Both sides did wrong - bereshit rabbah and Rashi imply that Yosef told teh truth, but that nonetheless it was wrong to speak o fhis brothers.
  • Only Yosef did wrong –
  • Neither side did wrong–

Vanity and Haughtiness

Should Yosef bear some of the blame for his brothers' treatment of him? Did his father's preferential treatment lead him to think highly of himself and act arrogantly towards his siblings? Is such a trait apparent in any of the later Yosef stories?

Religious Identity