Guiding Questions:
1. According to Rashi on verse 15, what did Joseph's brothers "see" that made them worried that Joseph was only waiting for their father to die before he took his revenge on them?
2. In The Midrash Says (vol. 1, p. 474), what did Joseph do on his way back from their father's funeral that got his brothers worried? Why do you think Joseph did this?
3. According to Rashi on verse 16, did their father really command Joseph to forgive them? Why would they lie?
4. In the Stone Chumash (p. 288), what does Joseph mean when he says "Am I in the place of God?" Compare both Rashi's and Sforno's explanations. Which do you prefer?
5. In The Midrash Says (vol. 1, p. 476), how is Joseph different from Cain, Esau, and Ishmael? Do you think this was easy for Joseph? What can we learn from him?
6. What is the Hebrew word for Joseph's coffin? How else is this word used? According to Plaut's Modern Commentary (p. 318), what is the meaning of "the Coffin and the Ark"?
7. According to Etz Hayim (p. 310), how do the last words of Genesis foreshadow the beginning of the book of Exodus? What are the last words of all the books of the Torah, and how might they connect with each other?
1. According to Rashi on verse 15, what did Joseph's brothers "see" that made them worried that Joseph was only waiting for their father to die before he took his revenge on them?
2. In The Midrash Says (vol. 1, p. 474), what did Joseph do on his way back from their father's funeral that got his brothers worried? Why do you think Joseph did this?
3. According to Rashi on verse 16, did their father really command Joseph to forgive them? Why would they lie?
4. In the Stone Chumash (p. 288), what does Joseph mean when he says "Am I in the place of God?" Compare both Rashi's and Sforno's explanations. Which do you prefer?
5. In The Midrash Says (vol. 1, p. 476), how is Joseph different from Cain, Esau, and Ishmael? Do you think this was easy for Joseph? What can we learn from him?
6. What is the Hebrew word for Joseph's coffin? How else is this word used? According to Plaut's Modern Commentary (p. 318), what is the meaning of "the Coffin and the Ark"?
7. According to Etz Hayim (p. 310), how do the last words of Genesis foreshadow the beginning of the book of Exodus? What are the last words of all the books of the Torah, and how might they connect with each other?
8. According to Rebbe Nachman's Torah on 50:21 (p. 343), what does Joseph do that shows he is a tzaddik, a righteous person? Can you think of modern examples of people who are/were able to do the same?
9. According to the Women's Torah Commentary (p. 296), what is the meaning of the word יִפְקֹד? When else is it used? What questions or thoughts do you have about an idea of God who does this?
Leora and Micah
ReplyDeleteThe Midrash Says, (vol. 1, p. 474), answers the question; What did Joseph do on his way back from their father's funeral that got his brothers worried? Why do you think Joseph did this?
The midrash says that Joseph looked at the pit that his brothers threw him in many years earlier. Joseph says a bracha, saying "Thank you God for performing this miracle in this place." This shows that Joseph has gotten over his negatvie thoughts towards his brothers. He is very grateful for who he is and who he became. He is a positive man who forgave his brothers.
Can you imagine - like Joseph - something in your life that was very difficult to go through but in the end it made you into a better person?
DeleteYes when my brother made me cry one day but it gave me hope and determination to strive to do well in life
DeleteWhen I look back at when a speeding car flipped over from hitting the guardrail, it not only told me how important it is to wear a seatbelt, but I reached a level of maturity that got me to realize that these things happen.
DeleteWe are answering question 2, using The Midrash Says. The Midrash Says says that on the way back from Jacob's funeral, Joseph wandered off the road and was staring at something. The brothers were worried because Joseph was staring into the pit that they had thrown him in, and they thought that Joseph would be reminded all over again of the incident and would take revenge. That was when the brothers told Joseph, "we are your slaves". Joseph told them that he was thanking God for having performed a miracle for him. I think that this shows that Joseph is a very good person for being able to forgive his brothers and look at the harder part of his life with optimism.
ReplyDelete-Liora (with help from Reb Mez)
Can you think of something in your life that you thought was horrible but in the end you were thankful that it happened?
DeleteWhen my brother made me cry one day but in the end it gave me hope and determination.
DeleteI had a very hard time in fifth grade. People at my old school still think of me as some sort of a freak/jerk but because of the experience I have definitely become a better person, even if they are unable to move on.
DeleteI'm thankful for flu shots because one time people were getting infected with the flu and there was nothing the people could do to prevent it. Even though the shot was scary, I was very glad in the end that I was protected.
DeleteDanielle and Rebecca
Micah and Leora
ReplyDeleteWe used the Women's Torah Commentary and we answered the question of what is the meaning of יִפְקֹד?
Adele Berlin claims that it means take notice. It is also used when Moses introduces the idea of exodus when God promised to Sarah that she would be pregnant.
Our ideas: The shoresh of this word can mean many things. In exodus, it meant to take note and in Bresheit it meant remembered
Maya and Josh Bermel
ReplyDeleteWe chose question 1:
And found out that their father died then realized this would make Joseph mad and take his revenge. They thought this because Joseph started being rude and stopped being nice to them.
But why would their father dying make Joseph mad? Their father was very old, and when people die, aren't you usually sad?
DeleteDo you think people's relationships with their brothers and sisters change after a parent dies? Why or why not?
DeleteThe five stages of grief, the 2nd stage is anger.
DeleteThe 5 stags of grief thing replies to both.
DeleteHow so?
DeleteWhat are the five stages of grief?
DeleteI would also like to know what the five stages of grief are.
DeleteOh, and how do the five stages of grief (whatever they are) reply to Rabbi Meszler's first question?
DeleteThe 5 stages of grief are as follows:
DeleteDenial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
Thank you, Noah.
DeleteBack to my above question: How does that relate to Rabbi Meszler's first question?
1. Denial and Isolation
Delete2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
(The internet is awesome)
I have a love/hate relationship with the Internet.
DeleteI studied The Midrash says, answering guide question 5. They say that Joseph was praising God for throwing him in the pit. This shows that Joseph was unlike his ancestors' brothers because he didn't ask for revenge like they did.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think makes one person imitate the bad behavior of their ancestors/family, and others break free?
DeleteIt depends on how they were raised, and mainly their personality.
DeleteWell why would do you think yosef knew about his ancestors sins? That could have played a key part
DeleteJacob's father taught Joseph a lot, probably including his ancestry.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMe Lili and Gavy did question 3. According to Rashi on verse 16, did their father really command Joseph to forgive them? We found that Rashi says that "They altered the facts for the sake of peace". They probably did this because they knew that If it was one of Yakkov's dying wish then Joesph would honor it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. They probably did this to keep the peace with Joseph because they just got to see him again after a very long time.
DeleteIs it okay to lie in this case? Why or why not?
Deleteaccording to the women's commentary the word יפקד means to "take notice" or to "take care" this word was used by Moses and by g-d. it is very interesting to me that this word would show up in all of these places. (sorry if the comment isn't as good as normal. Ari wasn't here to help me)
ReplyDelete-Adin
You forgot to capitalize G-d.
DeleteGood job Adin, looks good
DeleteIn "the midrash says" it says that on the way back to Egypt from Jacob's funeral in Canaan Joseph's brothers noticed that Joseph was off to the side of the road looking into the pit where they put him years ago. Because they saw him there they thought that Joseph would get angry and have them killed so they walked over to him and said "You know, our father said that we should tell you that he said for you not to get angry at us for our sins." Joseph said he was saying a brachah to God thanking God for the miracle He had created.
ReplyDeleteI think Joseph said this because he realized that being angry was pointless; and he should just thank God for the amazing, powerful, man he had become.
Our question, According to Rashi on verse 16, did their father really command Joseph to forgive them? Why would they lie?, was answered by Rashi. He said that the reason the brothers sent the messenger to tell Joseph the fake message from his father was to make peace between them. This added to our understanding because we agree that thee brothers would do this because they wouldn't want to die from Josephs revenge.
ReplyDeleteItai and Jared
Was it okay to lie in this case? Why or why not? When is it okay to lie? When is it not?
DeleteI think that it was not OK to lie. If you haven't seen a sibling for a while and you caused harm wouldn't you want to even up and tell the truth to make peace? It is OK to lie when it is in context of commenting someone, for example a "White lie." It is not OK to lie when you are arguing with someone. You have to make the decision of what you think is better to do, though it's usually better to tell the truth.
DeleteYes, it was, because if you are allowed to break a law to save a life.
DeleteI think its never okay to lie. People are talking about "white lies" but really those can just lead to more lies.
DeleteI am answering question 1, using Rashi. Rashi says that the brothers "recognized Jacob's death in Joseph, and he was friendly toward them out of respect for his father" but that after Jacob had died, Joseph began to act rudely toward his brothers. I think that before Jacob died, Joseph treated his brothers nicely out of respect for his father because it was Jacob who sent them to Egypt in the first place.
ReplyDeleteEven if he was being nice out of respect why would that end when Jacob died?
DeleteIs there any evidence that Joseph started acting rudely toward his brothers?
DeleteI'm not sure, is Rashi saying it evidence?
DeleteI guess so
Deletewas this before or after the brothers sent the messanger
DeleteFrom Giselle and Kol:
ReplyDeleteWe used that commentator Rashi and he answered the question: 4. According to Rashi on verse 12, what were the Egyptians disgusted at? How might this connect to the idea of freedom activist Nelson Mandela, that it is not only the enslaved who need to be freed but also the enslaver?
Rashi explains that the Egyptians were ashamed with themselves and their actions.
This helps explain that this is another way of looking at this verse. Most Rabbis think that this verse means that there were thorns in the Israelites eyes.
Wrong parasha.
Delete1. According to Rashi on verse 15, what did Joseph's brothers "see" that made them worried that Joseph was only waiting for their father to die before he took his revenge on them?
ReplyDeleteWhat does it mean that they saw? They recognized his (Jacob’s) death in Joseph, for they were accustomed to dine at Joseph’s table, and he was friendly toward them out of respect for his father, but as soon as Jacob died, he was no longer friendly toward them. — [From Targum Jonathan ben Uzziel; Tanchuma Buber, Shemoth 2]
How can someone dying change you? How can it be for good or for bad?
DeleteSomeone can change you by dying because you can have a special connection with that person. And, it could be good at times because maybe that person was in pain or in some kind of bad situation and they wanted to not be not in this world. It also can be bad because it can really hurt someone because maybe they were close and it could be destructive.
DeleteMia and I did question number two. "In The Midrash Says (vol. 1, p. 474), what did Joseph do on his way back from their father's funeral that got his brothers worried? Why do you think Joseph did this?" The Midrash says Joseph stopped by the pit that he was thrown into by his brothers because he wanted to say the blessing "bessed be he who performed a miricle for me in this place" His brothers were worried because they thought he was remebering the time that they. We think Joseph stopped by the pit too forgive and forget, and move on.
ReplyDeleteClara and Mia
Do you think people can really forgive and forget? Do we ever really forget?
Deletepeople can forgive but can't forget.
DeleteOur question asks why Joseph asks, "Am I in the place of God?". Our task is to compare Rashi's and Sforno's interpretations and state which we prefer. Our commentary is the Stone Chumash and our commentators are Rashi and Sforno. Rashi says that Joseph physically couldn't harm them because if God won't permit Jacob's children to harm Joseph, God won't permit Joseph to harm them. Joseph is reassuring Jacob's children that he can't be an enemy. Sforno says that Joseph isn't the judge of their actions and doesn't have the power to analyze God's decree and reward or punish them. He wants to say that they are equals and protected by God. The brothers are the agents of God carrying the divine plan by throwing him into a pit and selling him to Egyptian slavers while burning and blooding the coat. Overall, we agree with Sforno that Joseph was saying he wasn't the judge and ruler of them. That's because Sforno gives the spiritual interpretation that he could harm them but isn't authorized to harm them because he could physically harm them. Therefore, the only judge is God and the only enforcer is God but people can be agents of God's divine plans.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes people want to be judgmental? Who do you find that you are too quick to judge? When are people too quick to judge you?
DeletePeople are judgemental when they ungood with their own self. I think people judge weird-looking strangers too quickly without any story or behind scene info. People only judge me when I am not acting normal. Joseph can't judge the brothers because that is God's job. Love Ben, Josh, and Nadav
DeleteLeora and Micah
ReplyDeleteThe Midrash Says, (vol. 1, p. 476), answers the question, how is Joseph different from Cain, Esau, and Ishmael? Do you think this was easy for Joseph? What can we learn from him? Yoseph is different because he responded to his brothers' sin with kindness. This was probably not easy for Joseph, because it is hard to forgive someone. We can learn that even when it is hard to forgive someone, if we truly care about our relationship with them, we could try to reflect on the situation and maybe find something that will motivate us to forgive them.
Why is it hard to respond when someone else hurts you with kindness? How can you do that?
DeleteSometimes in the moment, it is hard to treat someone with kindness if they hurt you. It seems at the time that they don't deserve your kindness. It takes time to realize that it is important to be the better person.
DeleteI meant to write *It takes time to realize that it is important to be the bigger person*.
DeleteI did question 9 on the Women's Torah Commentary. This verb appears earlier in Genesis 21:1 and appears later in Exodus 3:16. This verb means literally, "take notice", but earlier in Genesis, it means "remembered", when Sarah was pregnant with Isaac.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of a concept of God that has to "take notice" or "remember"? Isn't that rather "human" of God? How can God forget?
DeleteGod can't forget, but we feel more comfortable if he acts "human".
DeleteOur question is: according to Rashi on verse 16, did their father really command Joseph to forgive them? Why would they lie?
ReplyDeleteRashi writes that Jacob in fact did not tell the brothers to make up with Josef before his death. They "altered the facts" in order to achieve something positive. Rashi said that the brothers didn't do this for their own sake, or their own selfishness, or to restore their pride. The brothers did this for the sake of the people.
We think that what Rashi thought was probably correct- but how would making amends with Josef affect the well being of the community/people? We think that the relationship of the brothers DOES have to do with all the people. If the brothers are not in a good relationship with each other it would set an underlying tone of conflict in the community- who knows how much this could negatively affect everyone.
Danielle and Rebecca
Do you think it was okay for the brothers to do this? Why or why not?
DeleteMicah and Leora
ReplyDeleteCommentator: Rashi
Question: What did yosef's brothers see in yosef that seemed like yosef was gonna kill them
Answer: After the meal that yosef served due to respect of his father, he was no longer nice to his brothers
Our thoughts: Yosef had the right to do this because his brothers where in his territory or his kill zone
What is kill zone?
DeleteI am answering question 5 using The Midrash Says. The Midrash Says says that Joseph is very different from Cain, Esav and Ishmael. He is different from Cain who killed his brother out of anger and jealousy, from Esav who sought revenge on his brother and from Ishmael who hated Isaac. Joseph, on the other hand, was able to forgive his brothers for their wrongdoings.
ReplyDeletewe where studying the Rashi and he asked, "what does it mean that they saw that there father died Rashi answered his question by saying they saw Joseph was being mean
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rebbe Nachman, Joseph spoke to his brother's hearts, to comfort them. That is what made him so righteous. In the modern world, if someone I know is stressed, or not even stressed at all, the best thing you can do for them is give them words of praise.
ReplyDelete