Questions tagged [yosef]
Joseph (יוסף), the son of Jacob (יעקב), from the book of Genesis.
160
questions
2
votes
3
answers
302
views
Does Rambam Rule that the Moshiach ben Yosef Concept Does Not Exist?
I'm currently in a discussion with a non-smicha guy who's publicly teaching these claims that the Rambam Absolutely and Halachically rejects the entire concept of the Messiah son of Yosef just because ...
- 129
1
vote
2
answers
129
views
if Yosef collected a 20 percent tax on the grain before the famine, what did Yosef later change about Egyptian taxation?
In Genesis 41:34 Yosef advises Pharoah to collect 20% of the grain of the Egypt and store it while the famine has not yet arrived.
יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה פַרְעֹ֔ה וְיַפְקֵ֥ד פְּקִדִ֖ים עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְחִמֵּשׁ֙ ...
- 675
2
votes
1
answer
208
views
How did Benjamin know what was going on with Yosef in Egypt
In Genesis 46:21 are written all the names of the sons of Benjamin:
ובני בנימן בלע ובכר ואשבל גרא ונעמן אחי וראש מפים וחפים וארד.
The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, ...
- 1,631
2
votes
0
answers
40
views
Why did Gabriel interfere with Joseph’s cloak?
In Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews, a legend is quoted which says that Joseph was eventually found not-guilty of assaulting Mrs Potiphar because, when the Egyptians examined the tear pattern on the ...
- 2,568
2
votes
0
answers
37
views
Yosef and three times scaring his brothers
In the interaction between the Viceroy (really Yosef) and his brothers in Parshas Mikeitz, the Torah describes three different ways he frightened them.
First, he claimed they were spies (מרגלים).
...
- 3,831
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Esav and Yosef the lahava
The gemara says in Bava Basra 123b that Yosef is the lahava and "sitno shel Esav" and the one who befells Esav as the posuk says "bais Yosef lahava".
The same person says in ...
- 450
3
votes
2
answers
119
views
What's the reason why Yosef HaTzadik had to go through slavery?
Just a question out of curiosity: What's the reason why Yosef had to go through slavery? What do the sages/scholars say?
- 368
3
votes
1
answer
193
views
Why was Yoseph sold to Ishmaelites and then Midianites, rather than Midianites and then Ishmaelites?
The following question and translations are courtesy of Studies in Bereshit by Nechama Leibowitz.
In Parshat Vayeshev, some pesukim suggest that Yoseph was sold by his brothers to Midianites, and ...
- 327
5
votes
0
answers
28
views
How old was Menashe when he was Yosef's assistant?
According to the midrash Yoseph appoints Menashe over grain logs, has him subdue both Shimon and Yehudah on two separate occasions, and even sends them after his brothers to "retrieve" his ...
- 51
2
votes
2
answers
123
views
Did Benjamin recognize Joseph when he came down to Egypt
The Torah mentions that Yosef recognized his brothers but they didn't recognize him (Bereshit 42:7-8).
Was wondering whether any commentaries deal with the question of when Benjamin came down did he ...
- 565
1
vote
1
answer
128
views
Various groups and individuals and their relation to a specific tribe
1.Is there anyone who attributes the tribe/kingdom of Yehudah to Sefardim, and the tribe/kingdom of Yosef to Ashkenazim (at least in the spiritual sense), as per Ovadiah 1:18?
are there any pairs of ...
- 3,297
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Midrash that Yosef sinned first
Can someone point me to a midrash that says that Yosef actually started sinning with Eshet Potiphar but then stopped?
- 3,095
1
vote
1
answer
112
views
How could a new king of Egypt not know who Yosef was?
In Sotah 11a we find
The Gemara proceeds to discuss the sojourn of the Jewish people in Egypt. The verse states: “And there arose a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). Rav and ...
- 2,326
5
votes
1
answer
854
views
Is it true that Rabbi Moshe Dovid Valle (aka the Ramad Vali, Ramdu) said that the Jesus was a failed Mashiach ben Yosef? Please provide sources
I heard this a few times. Is it true that Rabbi Moshe Dovid Valle (aka the Ramad Vali, Ramdu) said that the Jesus was a failed Mashiach ben Yosef? If so, please provide sources.
- 129
0
votes
2
answers
174
views
Was Shechem a gilgul of Eisav?
The Arizal says (she'ar Hagilgulim) that it's not a problem that Shem and Noach were the same gilgul, although they were father and son, alive at the same time.
In Breshit 48:22 Ya'akov Avinu says he ...
- 129
0
votes
3
answers
121
views
Which peshat Torah or Tanach passage supports the reaction of Joseph when Israel places a right hand of blessing over the head of the younger son?
Which peshat Torah or Tanach passage supports the negative reaction of Joseph when his father Israel (in Genesis 48:14) places a right hand of blessing over the head of the younger son of Joseph?
This ...
- 41
2
votes
2
answers
118
views
Chumash- Yosef really strong?
Rashi explains Yosef was able to carry Ephraim and Menashe on his knees before giving them to Yaakov. How could Yosef carry them both on his knees if they were already old at that time? Is the pshat ...
- 151
4
votes
1
answer
134
views
Did Reuven profit from the sale of Yosef?
Yosef was sold for 20 silver pieces.
Yerushalmi (Shekalim 2:3) and Bereishis Rabbah (84:18) both say that since the 10 brothers each received 2 silver pieces, which were worth half a shekel, their ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
885
views
Did the story of Judah and Tamar happen before or during Joseph in Egypt?
I don't know if this question has already been asked here, I searched and couldn't find it.
Does the story of Judah and Tamar develop during Joseph's age to Egypt? If so, in that case the children of ...
- 567
2
votes
3
answers
162
views
Why didn't Yosef tell pharaoh to repent?
In parshas Miketz, Yosef interprets pharaoh's dream and offers his advice on how to help the dire future situation.
However, his advice is purely practical, seemingly just a way to avoid Hashem's ...
- 34k
3
votes
1
answer
441
views
Ber. 43 (33). Yosef seats the brothers in birth order. This could have revealed his identity prematurely?
In Beraishis 43 (33), Rashi quotes the Medrash to say, Yosef
“struck the goblet and called aloud: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Issachar and Zebulon, sons of one mother, take your seats at the table
...
- 48.4k
1
vote
1
answer
126
views
Connection between Yosef and Chanukah
The Megaleh Amukos makes a connection between Yosef and Antiochus in regards to the gematria of the names that Yosef is one more then Antiochus. I was wondering if anyone could explain the connection ...
- 273
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
Why Yosef became the king of Egypt?
Why H'shem chose specifically Yosef to become the king of Egypt and not another brother? Wasn't it more suitable to Yehuda, for instance, who already represented the "Malchut" of Israel, or ...
- 485
7
votes
4
answers
241
views
Wasn't Yaakov afraid to create envy between Ephraim and Menashe?
When Yosef took his sons to receive a bracha from his father, Yaakov switched his hands to put his right hand over Ephraim, the youngest brother. When Yosef questioned him about that, Yaakov said that ...
- 485
1
vote
0
answers
145
views
How did Joseph become vizier under Pharaoh, an idol, without violating the prohibition against encouraging others to idol worship? Same Q for Esther
I'm definitely not suggesting either Joseph or Esther broke this prohibition (at all, or at worst unless it was necessary to save life or other exceptions granted by the Torah). I have little ...
- 351
0
votes
1
answer
252
views
Are there positive meanings in Torah about horses that relate to Jews? Also dogs?
Sorry if this is basic but if I learned it I forgot it. I think what I'm trying to remember was about Joseph the Righteous, but I will ask more broadly, are there any positive affiliations of Jews in ...
- 351
-1
votes
1
answer
276
views
Question about Joseph the Righteous, Yoshke, and Capture and Enclothing by the Sitra Ahra
Still aspects unanswered, please see edit at bottom of post if interested.
The book Divine and Demonic in the Poetic Mythology of the Zohar (p. 247) discusses the concept of the "Other side" ...
- 351
0
votes
2
answers
692
views
How many years between the birth of Yosef and Moses?
According to the Torah, how many years between the birth of Yosef and the birth of Moses?
- 65
1
vote
3
answers
306
views
Is Everything Part of God's Plan?
I'd like to follow up on Joseph telling his brothers: Don’t worry and don’t feel guilty about selling me in Egypt: It was all God’s plan. [Genesis 45:4-8, 50:19-21]
The Talmud teaches that everything ...
- 23k
0
votes
1
answer
125
views
Why did Joseph let his brothers off the hook so easily?
I would love to see a discussion of the following point. In Vayigash, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, and tells them:
I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do ...
- 23k
12
votes
1
answer
222
views
Yosef's dreams and time
I had an interesting idea, and I wondered if anyone knows of sources that use it.
Yosef deals with three sets of dreams: his own, the dreams of the sommelier and baker, and the dreams of Pharaoh. In ...
- 3,831
0
votes
1
answer
92
views
Why did the brothers get the money in their bags, and who were they speaking to when they explain the situation?
What was the purpose of the brothers having the money in their bags? It did not get them back to Egypt, they went back for food. So what was the point of this whole ordeal? Further, when they explain ...
- 981
3
votes
1
answer
470
views
What is the source for Yosef's garment being a "coat of many colors"?
What is the source for Yosef's coat being a "coat of many colors"? Is there a particular commentator that translates פַּסִּים as colorful?
Genesis 37:3
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָהַ֤ב אֶת־יוֹסֵף֙ ...
- 323
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
What happened to Bnei Yakov?
From the time of the sale of Yosef (Chapter 37) until the decision to head to Egypt (Chapter 42) we don't hear about the story/goings on of brothers (excluding Yehudah). We have flash references for a ...
- 686
2
votes
1
answer
86
views
Yosef giving signs to his brothers
Bereishit 45:3 states "וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יוֹסֵ֤ף אֶל־אֶחָיו֙ אֲנִ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף הַע֥וֹד אָבִ֖י חָ֑י וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֤וּ אֶחָיו֙ לַעֲנ֣וֹת אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֥י נִבְהֲל֖וּ מִפָּנָֽיו"
In his book, Vedibarta Bam, ...
- 11.2k
4
votes
2
answers
193
views
What is the connection between Pharaoh's butler's cups and Arba Kosos?
The Daas Zekeinim (Shemos 12:8) writes
ד"א כנגד ד' כוסות שאמר שר המשקים ליוסף - Yet another interpretation
about why we drink four cups of wine on the night of the seder. It is
a reminder of the ...
- 14.6k
4
votes
1
answer
135
views
How old was Binyamin when he and his brothers went down to meet Yosef
Just like the title reads. Citing the interaction between the brothers and Yosef in Egpyt during the famine retold in Bereishit 42-44, I am curious to know if any mefarshim comment on the age of ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
148
views
Why did the 10 Brothers tell Yaakov that Yosef had died if doing so would cause him such intense pain & grief?
Is there any Torah commentary that addresses how Yaakov’s ten sons could have been so cold, heartless and cruel, to cause Yaakov’s intense, 22-year, unconsolable grief over Yosef’s death? What child ...
2
votes
3
answers
311
views
Why does Torah tell us the new king "did not know Joseph"?
The Torah says:
וַיָּ֥קָם מֶֽלֶךְ־חָדָ֖שׁ עַל־מִצְרָ֑יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־יָדַ֖ע אֶת־יוֹסֵֽף׃ -- A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. [Exodus 1:8]
and continues with the new king's ...
- 23k
6
votes
3
answers
684
views
Did Yakov ever find out the truth about the sale of Yosef?
Curious why the Torah never mentions anything about Yaakov inquiring as to what actually happened to Joseph and how he got to Egypt. Is there any scriptural basis to suggest he became aware of the ...
- 71
3
votes
1
answer
532
views
Brothers don't kill brothers?
Rashi explains that Yosef calms his brothers' concerns by telling them
וידבר על לבם. דְּבָרִים הַמִּתְקַבְּלִים עַל הַלֵּב – עַד שֶׁלֹּא
יְרַדְתֶּם לְכָאן הָיוּ מְרַנְּנִים עָלַי שֶׁאֲנִי עֶבֶד, עַל ...
- 14.6k
7
votes
2
answers
381
views
The famine and Joseph's food aid
There are many things I don't understand about Joseph's food policy in Parashat Vayigash
Why did the Egyptians have to buy food during the famine, given that they had been taxed during the 7 years of ...
- 2,651
2
votes
0
answers
63
views
How to understand Yoseph's seemingly cruel actions?
It seems that Yoseph completely changed the system of government from one where citizens had land rights and minimal taxes to one where the right to property was taken away and 20% tax.
He basically ...
0
votes
0
answers
92
views
Who does the evil eye apply to?
In many places in the Sources we are told that the "evil eye" does not apply to the descendants of Joseph.
For example, when Rabbi Yoḥanan boasted about his beauty:
The Rabbis said to him: ...
- 23k
0
votes
1
answer
69
views
ויהי and Bereshit 39
In Bereshit 39 - end of parshat Vayeishev - the Torah keeps using the word ויהי. In 23 verses, there are 15 times the word ויהי repeated.
Is there a significance of the ויהי repetition, over and over, ...
- 1,158
5
votes
3
answers
487
views
Looking for the source concerning a claim made about Yosef and his brothers
Here, HaRav Zev Leff makes the claim that the quarrel between Yosef and his brothers was primarily about the legal or covenantal status of the sons of Israel. The author claims that Yosef’s brothers ...
- 1,490
1
vote
1
answer
159
views
Who payed for the money that Joseph returned to his brothers?
It is known that at the first time Joseph ask to return the money that his brother paid for the grains to their bags. Joseph was a leader of the Egypt nation. The money he got for the grains belongs ...
- 1,631
4
votes
3
answers
298
views
What was the nature of the apparition of Yaakov that appeared to Yosef?
Sotah 36b writes that an apparition of Yaakov visited Yosef when he was about to sin with Potiphar's wife.
(בראשית לט, יב) ותתפשהו בבגדו לאמר וגו' באותה שעה באתה דיוקנו של אביו ונראתה לו בחלון אמר לו ...
- 5,465
2
votes
5
answers
415
views
Why was Joseph allowed to imprison Shimon?
Why was Joseph allowed to imprison Shimon? That seems to transgress theft (both the Ten Commandments and/or the Noahide laws)?
- 1,757
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Did the Egyptians store food for the famine?
Yosef reveals to Pharoah that there will be 7 years of surplus grain followed by 7 years of famine. Yosef gathers a huge quantity of grain from all over the land and stores it.
Didn't the Egyptians ...
- 71.2k