Parsha discussion

  Question:  48:14 why do we need to be told that אפרים is the younger brother? We already know this Approach : Perhaps we are being told this in order to stress that יעקב knew what he was doing, even before we are told of this in the text from the conversation between יוסף and יעקב. 

  Question:  After יוסף reveals himself we don’t hear at all from any of the brothers? The dialogue is all from יוסף and פרעה. Why? Approach:  Whilst we are told of the initial shock of the brothers, it appears that they remained shocked and unsure of the events that they could not do anything other than letting others take charge of the initial actions after the revelation of יוסף's identity. Only once יעקב and the family actually came to Egypt and settled in somewhat did יוסף take them to meet פרעה. Interesting to note that whilst יוסף prepped his brothers what to say, we don't actually know that the requested conversation took place (although it's implied).

  Question:  Why are we told twice that יוסף “went out over all of Egypt”? Approach : There are some slight differences in the two verses. The first reference would seem to relate to the regal position that יוסף attained (the name change, marrying a lady of high stature), and so the refence to going out over all of Egypt would imply that the Egyptian people accepted his appointment. The second reference seems to be an introduction into the next few verses, whereby יוסף puts his plan into action. The reference therefore of going out over all of Egypt implies that he took personal responsibility to ensure that his plan was fully implemented.

Question : Why do the brothers send the bloodied כתונת פסים ahead of them? Why not bring it home themselves? Approach : We could suggest that the brothers feared that their demeanour would give them away, and that יעקב would see that their body language wouldn't show the shock that he would have expected. Alternatively, we could suggest that the brothers were somewhat ashamed of what they were doing, and needed time to try to hide their shame. Either way, the time difference allowed for the initial shock to wear off יעקב, who would be less likely to notice the unexpected ways of the brothers.

  Question:  Despite the efforts of חמור and שכם, Yaakov plays no part in the negotiations surrounding the joining of the two families. Why not? Approach : It seems that יעקב is in two minds about how to deal with the situation, and would like time to consider his options about how to handle things. His children though come up with a plan much quicker, and it appears that יעקב is unsure about the ultimate plan, certainly by שמעון & לוי. We see the ambivalence at the end of the story, whereby יעקב is unsure about the effects of their actions, without admonishing them directly. And even on his deathbed, the criticism relates to the characteristics of anger and zealousness, rather than the actual incident with שכם.