the brothers plot to throw Joseph into a pit and leave him there to die (the musical even captures some Rashi about snakes in the pit). Instead, a group of Ishmaelites pass by, and the brothers decide to sell Joseph to them for silver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe problem is the text does not seem to follow this version. Starting with 37:18, the brothers see Joseph approaching and think about killing him. Reuben instructs them not to kill Joseph, but instead put him in a pit. Reuben\u2019s wishes to distract the brothers and then return to retrieve Joseph from the pit. The brothers attack Joseph, throw him into the pit, and then sit for a meal. During the meal, a group of Ishmaelites pass by. Judah tells the brothers they should not kill Joseph but instead sell him. Reuben clearly did not tell the other brothers of his plot to return to Joseph. They still believe the plan is to kill him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nThis is where the text gets interesting. \u201cWhen Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the pit. They sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who brought Joseph to Egypt\u201d (verse 28). Using only the pronoun \u201cthey,\u201d the text is ambiguous. However, it opens with describing a band of Midianite traders. Why add this fact if the \u201cthey\u201d is the brothers pulling Joseph out of the pit and selling him to the Ishmaelites?! It must mean that while the brothers were plotting, the Midianites passed, saw Joseph in the pit, and the Midianites pulled him out of the pit and sold him. This makes sense because in the very next verse, Reuben returns to the pit and is astonished that Joseph is missing. The text never mentions that Reuben left the brothers, so why should he be surprised that Joseph was gone if they sold him?!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\nHe then returns to the brothers to tell them Joseph is gone. The brothers do not respond that they sold Joseph. Instead, they panic and dip the coat in blood. The chapter ends with the tell-tale verse \u201cThe Midianites meanwhile, sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, a courtier of Pharaoh and his prefect\u201d (verse 36). If the brothers sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, why are the Midianites mentioned here? Contra Andrew Lloyd Weber, they must have been the ones to sell him in the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\r\nImage: Konstantin Flavitsky, Children of Jacob sell his brother Joseph, 1855 \/ wikipedia<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":77074,"alt":"","title":"Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky.jpg","width":790,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky-300x228.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":228,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky-768x583.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":583,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky.jpg","large-width":790,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky.jpg","1536x1536-width":790,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky.jpg","2048x2048-width":790,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky.jpg","post_full_size-width":790,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Amos2-Joseph-Konstantin_Flavitsky-553x420.jpg","home_baner-width":553,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Who Sold Joseph?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"If you think it was his brothers - 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Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Joseph\u2019s dreams: He should\u2019ve known when to hold them, but then he told them\u2026\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"
There are ten dreams in the book of Genesis, four of which precede this chapter. That Joseph had dreams is not surprising, but the substance of his dreams is new. Up until now, dreams in the Bible were merely the context within which God spoke to the dreamer. In the case of Abimelech (Genesis 20), God revealed Sarah\u2019s identity to the King. Jacob\u2019s dream of angels on a ladder (Genesis 28), is the backdrop to God telling him about the land he is receiving and the nation he will father. In Genesis 31, Jacob had a dream that included an angel of God instructing him to return to the land of his birth (31:13) and a few verses later God spoke to Laban in a dream, warning him not to speak to Jacob as he heads home (31:24.)<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe remaining six biblical dreams involve Joseph: two dreamt by Joseph himself, and the next four which were interpreted by Joseph. What\u2019s different about the dreams involving Joseph is that they are completely symbolic. There is no clear statement of intent from God. Joseph must interpret his own dreams just as he will be called on to interpret the dreams of the cupbearer, the baker and Pharaoh himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\nRamban points out that Joseph, though only 17 years old here, was a \u201c<\/span>ben-zekunim<\/span><\/em> (37:3)\u201d, meaning not only a son of his father\u2019s old age, but a boy with the wisdom of an old man. That wisdom, according to Ramban, meant Joseph fully understood that his dreams were prophetic and appreciated their meaning. That explains why Joseph, seemingly in a demonstration of immaturity or lack of sensitivity, felt it necessary to relate his interpretation of his own dreams to his already jealous brothers. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 89a) tell us that because Joseph understood these dreams to be prophecy, he likewise understood his obligation to deliver the prophecy, regardless of the danger that message might bring to the messenger.<\/span><\/p>\r\nJoseph\u2019s brothers, on the other hand, did not have the wisdom of old age. For them, Joseph\u2019s dreams were initially nothing more than the grandiose delusions of their obnoxious little brother. They could have dismissed the dreams as such, but their father\u2019s reaction was worrisome. Rabbi Noson Weisz suggests that until that moment the brothers believed they would all have an equal share in the leadership of the nation. But they observed that their father, Jacob, took Joseph\u2019s dreams more seriously and \u201ckept the matter in mind (37:11.)\u201d, engendering the depth of hatred and jealousy of Joseph that followed.<\/span><\/p>\r\nJoseph was not trying to be insufferable when he related his dreams. He was simply doing what he thought was required of him, in relating his prophecy. Nevertheless, perhaps his wisdom was incomplete, because he did seem to lack the maturity to know that it\u2019s not only what you say that matters, but how you say it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":79531,"alt":"","title":"zech10-dream","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream.jpg","width":4208,"height":2754,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-300x196.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":196,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-768x503.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":503,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-1024x670.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":670,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1005,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1340,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-1200x785.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":785,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/zech10-dream-642x420.jpg","home_baner-width":642,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Old 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had to go through a series of tribulations, loneliness, exile and captivity, in order to become worthy of leadership","post_main_content_content":"
The story of Jacob\u2019s children is different from the stories of the generations before them. If until now one son has been chosen in every generation to continue the legacy of the family and the people, the sons of Jacob are the first generation in which there is no such choice - all the sons remain part of the family and are the basis for the development of the family into a people.<\/span><\/p>\r\nIt seems that it is difficult to separate from the family heritage, and instead of harmony, there is once again a struggle between the sons for leadership and one of the sons is singled out as his father\u2019s favorite.<\/span><\/p>\r\nOne son stands out, successful and blessed with talents, who has a magical touch that everything he touches succeeds. \u00a0Joseph, however, was lacking one important trait: humility. The combination of his great talent and lack of modesty is a sure recipe to arouse the jealousy of his brothers. Add to that the fact that his father favors him over his brothers, makes and gives him a spectacular ornamented tunic, and pampers him with special treatment and love. As if that were not enough, Joseph is one of the younger brothers, almost the youngest in the family, and he is the son of Rachel, Jacob's favorite wife. <\/span><\/p>\r\nThe brothers find it very difficult to accept Joseph\u2019s status.<\/span><\/p>\r\nIf Joseph had understood that leadership is a responsibility that requires empathy for one\u2019s followers and especially humility, the mantle of leadership would have come to him without having to do too much. The fact that he does not act as a gifted person who can serve others but as a degenerate and estranged nobleman worked against him. This is the price of his hubris. Like his father, he was cursed to go through a series of tribulations, wanderings, loneliness, exile and captivity, in order to rebuild himself as someone worthy of national leadership, and in this case, even world leadership.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":60971,"alt":"","title":"2sam19-leader facing","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","width":1920,"height":732,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-300x114.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":114,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-768x293.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":293,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1024x390.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":390,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":586,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":732,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1200x458.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":458,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1102x420.png","home_baner-width":1102,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Price of Hubris","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Joseph had to go through a series of tribulations, loneliness, exile and captivity, in order to become worthy of leadership","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":60971,"alt":"","title":"2sam19-leader facing","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","width":1920,"height":732,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-300x114.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":114,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-768x293.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":293,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1024x390.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":390,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":586,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":732,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1200x458.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":458,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2sam19-leader-facing-1102x420.png","home_baner-width":1102,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"37","date":"20251020","wall_id":"37"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"523","name":"Joseph","old_id":"923"},{"term_id":"565","name":"Jealousy","old_id":"965"}]},{"order":8,"id":"39191","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Sale of Joseph: Not Whodunit - But Why? ","post_title":"The Sale of Joseph: Not Whodunit - But Why?","slug":"the-sale-of-joseph-not-whodunit-but-why","old_id":"39191","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38986,"post_title":"Philip Stein","slug":"philip-stein","old_id":"38986","first_name":"Philip ","last_name":"Stein ","description":"Philip Stein is the founder and managing partner of Philip Stein & Associates Ltd., the largest U.S. accounting firm in Israel. Philip made Aliyah 39 years ago with his wife Judy. Philip is a regular blogger and has a Podcast called \u201cFrom the Midwest to the Middle East\u201d which is followed by thousands of listeners.","short_description":"Philip Stein is an accountant and the founder and managing partner of Philip Stein & Associates Ltd.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38987,"alt":"","title":"philip stein","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455.jpg","width":724,"height":688,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455-300x285.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":285,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-768x513.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":513,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-1024x684.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":684,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455.jpg","1536x1536-width":724,"1536x1536-height":688,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455.jpg","2048x2048-width":724,"2048x2048-height":688,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-1200x801.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":801,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/philip-stein-e1535624473455-442x420.jpg","home_baner-width":442,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Settling a three generations long grudge","post_main_content_content":"\"When Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the pit. They sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who brought Joseph to Egypt\" (Genesis 37:28).<\/span><\/p>\r\nWhile this verse has generated thousands of years of debate as to <\/span>who<\/span><\/em> sold Joseph, it is even more intriguing to ask <\/span>why<\/span><\/em> Joseph was sold.<\/span><\/p>\r\nAccording to the story, Midianite traders found Joseph in a pit, pulled him out and sold him. Why would traders, who probably dealt with spices, suddenly decide to become what we call today \u201chuman traffickers\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe answer can be found some 120 years before the story of Joseph. When Abraham decided to remarry, he took a woman named Keturah who bore him 6 sons. The 4<\/span>th<\/span> son\u2019s name was Midian. Abraham may have sent Midian and his brothers away to avoid their having a bad influence on his grandson Jacob.<\/span><\/p>\r\nGenesis 25:5-6, states: \u201cAbraham willed all that he owned to Isaac\u2026But to Abraham\u2019s sons by concubines Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and he sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the East.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\nAbraham favored one of his children, Isaac over the other six, Midian and his siblings. Isaac was made the sole heir while Midian and his siblings had to make due with gifts. We can imagine how humiliating the experience of being sent into exile was for Midian and his siblings, let along what their mother went through. It is also not hard to imagine the resentment which would have festered in Midian\u2019s family.<\/span><\/p>\r\nNow 100 years after the searing experience of exile, Midian\u2019s descendant comes across a stranger lying in a pit. He naturally comes to the assistance of poor Joseph who he finds in a distraught state. As Joseph relates his story and his lineage, Midian\u2019s great-grandson realizes that the man he just saved is the great-grandson of the man who caused his ancestor great pain. Midian\u2019s great-grandson can exact revenge on Abraham\u2019s progeny. He is not about to miss this opportunity to exact vengeance on his 3<\/span>rd<\/span> cousin for the pain caused to his family a hundred years earlier. The revenge would take the form of a sale into slavery to the Ishmaelites.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThis midrashic retelling of the story has a psychological logic to it, based on human behavior that all of us have seen in our own day, let alone in the annals of history.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":67664,"alt":"","title":"is45-why","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Sale of Joseph: Not Whodunit - But Why?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Settling a three generations long grudge","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":67664,"alt":"","title":"is45-why","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/is45-why-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"37","date":"20251020","wall_id":"37"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"391","name":"In\/Justice","old_id":"791"},{"term_id":"566","name":"Midian","old_id":"966"}]},{"order":9,"id":"39073","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Joseph\u2019s Robe ","post_title":"Joseph\u2019s Robe","slug":"josephs-robe","old_id":"39073","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":35831,"post_title":"Ruth Fogelman","slug":"ruth-fogelman","old_id":"35831","first_name":"Ruth ","last_name":"Fogelman ","description":"Ruth Fogelman was born in England and has lived in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City for most of her life. She is the author of four books. Her poems, articles, short stories and photography have appeared in anthologies and various publications in Israel, USA and India, including Arc, Back to Joy: Little Reminders to Help Us Through Tough Times, The Deronda Review, Prosopisia, Poetica, and the International Literary Review. Ruth holds a Masters Degree from the Creative Writing Program of Bar Ilan University and leads the Pri Hadash Women\u2019s Writing Workshop in Jerusalem. \r\nShe is a member of the Israel Association of Writers in English\r\nVisit her website at http:\/\/jerusalemlives.weebly.com\r\n","short_description":"Ruth Fogelman is a poet, and lives in Jerusalem\u2019s Old City. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":35832,"alt":"","title":"Ruth Fogelman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman-.jpg","width":969,"height":973,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman--150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman--300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman--768x771.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":771,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman-.jpg","large-width":969,"large-height":973,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman-.jpg","1536x1536-width":969,"1536x1536-height":973,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman-.jpg","2048x2048-width":969,"2048x2048-height":973,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman-.jpg","post_full_size-width":969,"post_full_size-height":973,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ruth-Fogelman--418x420.jpg","home_baner-width":418,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Strangers haul the bruised boy from the pit...","post_main_content_content":"Jacob ordered it -
\r\n<\/span>a wide-sleeved robe of finest linen, striped
\r\n<\/span>with scarlet, purple and sea-blue -
\r\n<\/span>from the weaver of sacred curtains -
\r\n<\/span>and gives it to his favorite son.
\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\nIn a mirror,
\r\n<\/span>the boy sees how it
\r\n<\/span>rests upon his shoulders,
\r\n<\/span>feels the smooth fabric against his skin,
\r\n<\/span>curls his hair,
\r\n<\/span>and in the fields,
\r\n<\/span>flaunts the robe before his brothers.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\u201cHere comes the dreamer!\u201d the brothers call.
\r\n<\/span>They rip it
\r\n<\/span>from his back
\r\n<\/span>but its tear is hushed by Joseph\u2019s cries.
\r\n<\/span>Ignoring his pleas, the brothers
\r\n<\/span>thrust his naked body into a pit
\r\n<\/span>not brimming with soothing water
\r\n<\/span>but with snakes and scorpions
\r\n<\/span>and dip the robe into the warm blood
\r\n<\/span>of a freshly-slaughtered goat.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe brothers
\r\n<\/span>sit and eat, while it
\r\n<\/span>lies stained
\r\n<\/span>next to grazing sheep
\r\n<\/span>and strangers haul the bruised boy
\r\n<\/span>from the pit.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe brothers return it
\r\n<\/span>to their father,
\r\n<\/span>and cast it
\r\n<\/span>before his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\u201cSee, please, whose robe is this,\u201d they say.
\r\n<\/span>The cloth is ragged and dark blood
\r\n<\/span>obliterates the stripes
\r\n<\/span>of scarlet, purple and sea-blue.<\/span><\/p>\r\nIt lies -
\r\n<\/span>a desolate heap -
\r\n<\/span>at Jacob\u2019s feet \u2013<\/span><\/p>\r\nand Jacob weeps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n(Cover art<\/em> by Elisheva Horowitz, by courtesy of the artist)<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":39176,"alt":"","title":"gen37","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","width":1177,"height":1500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-235x300.jpg","medium-width":235,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-768x979.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":979,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-803x1024.jpg","large-width":803,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","1536x1536-width":1177,"1536x1536-height":1500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","2048x2048-width":1177,"2048x2048-height":1500,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-942x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":942,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-330x420.jpg","home_baner-width":330,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Poetry Corner","tile_main_caption":"Joseph\u2019s Robe","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Strangers haul the bruised boy from the pit...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":39176,"alt":"","title":"gen37","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","width":1177,"height":1500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-235x300.jpg","medium-width":235,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-768x979.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":979,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-803x1024.jpg","large-width":803,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","1536x1536-width":1177,"1536x1536-height":1500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37.jpg","2048x2048-width":1177,"2048x2048-height":1500,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-942x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":942,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/gen37-330x420.jpg","home_baner-width":330,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"37","date":"20251020","wall_id":"37"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"302","name":"Elisheva Horowitz","old_id":"702"},{"term_id":"362","name":"Poetry","old_id":"762"}]},{"order":10,"id":"39078","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"And Jacob Settled - But For What? ","post_title":"And Jacob Settled - But For What?","slug":"and-jacob-settled-but-for-what","old_id":"39078","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38049,"post_title":"Olla Solomyak","slug":"olla-solomyak","old_id":"38049","first_name":"Olla ","last_name":"Solomyak ","description":"Dr. Olla Solomyak holds a PhD in philosophy from New York University, and is a Polonsky Postdoctoral Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. She learns, writes, and teaches at various locations in and around Jerusalem. Her academic work can be found at www.ollasolomyak.com. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Olla Solomyak is a Polonsky Postdoctoral Fellow at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38050,"alt":"","title":"OllaSolomyak","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","width":461,"height":701,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak-197x300.png","medium-width":197,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","medium_large-width":461,"medium_large-height":701,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","large-width":461,"large-height":701,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","1536x1536-width":461,"1536x1536-height":701,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","2048x2048-width":461,"2048x2048-height":701,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak.png","post_full_size-width":461,"post_full_size-height":701,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/OllaSolomyak-276x420.png","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"How often do we try to \u2018settle\u2019 on something that\u2019s not truly right for us? \u00a0","post_main_content_content":"Vayeshev<\/span> Ya\u2019akov<\/span><\/em> \u2014 and Jacob settled.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe word <\/span>vayeshev<\/span><\/em>, and he settled, has both an external and an internal dimension of meaning. The root (y-sh-v<\/em>) can mean to sit, to dwell, to settle (see here<\/a> about this root) \u2014 physically, or externally speaking \u2014 and can also signify an internal settled-ness or peace of mind, as in the term <\/span>yeshuv<\/span> hada\u2019at<\/span><\/em> (settled-ness of the mind).<\/span><\/p>\r\nSettling physically in a place, or even sitting down, is often an expression of inner settled-ness: one has identified one\u2019s place, a place one can <\/span>be<\/span><\/em>, rather than moving around in search of one\u2019s self and place in the world. It is difficult to sit when we are not internally at ease; a lack of inner settled-ness uproots and pushes us into motion.<\/span><\/p>\r\nA midrash explains that as soon as Jacob felt this internal settled-ness, God challenged him with the story that follows: the loss of Joseph, his beloved son.<\/span><\/p>\r\nAt the end of this chapter, Jacob feels the precise opposite of settlened-ness: he is unable to be consoled for his son\u2019s loss; he can\u2019t fully accept the situation and be at peace with it. The midrash explains here that Jacob\u2019s lack of settled-ness and inability to be consoled stemmed from the fact that Joseph was actually still alive. The internal settled-ness that generally comes from accepting a situation for what it is depends on the situation actually <\/span>being<\/span><\/em> that way \u2014 we can only settle on accepting the <\/span>truth<\/span><\/em>. Trying to accept a falsity cannot result in peace of mind.<\/span><\/p>\r\nAnd so Jacob is challenged out of his initial settled-ness into an unsettled-ness he can\u2019t resolve \u2014 into a situation that he can\u2019t fully accept as truth, because it isn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\r\nHow often do we try to \u2018settle\u2019 on something that\u2019s not truly right for us? To settle in a situation, or on a life choice, that isn\u2019t really true to who we are? This midrash teaches us that we can only really <\/span>settle<\/span><\/em> \u2014 be truly internally settled \u2014 on a truth. <\/span>Yeshuv<\/span> hada\u2019at<\/span><\/em>, literally the \u2018settling of knowledge,\u2019 or peace of mind, must involve <\/span>knowledge<\/span><\/em>, not just belief. It reflects and requires an inner knowledge that one is in the right place and connected to one\u2019s inner truth \u2014 sitting, or having settled, on solid ground.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"And Jacob Settled - But For What?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"How often do we try to \u2018settle\u2019 on something that\u2019s not truly right for us? \u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Genesis","chapter":"37","chapter_main_number":"37","date":"20251020","wall_id":"37"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"361","name":"Hebrew language","old_id":"761"},{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"}]},{"order":11,"id":"39093","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Ordinary Angels ","post_title":"Ordinary Angels","slug":"ordinary-angels","old_id":"39093","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38362,"post_title":"Warner Ferratier","slug":"warner-ferratier","old_id":"38362","first_name":"Warner ","last_name":"Ferratier ","description":"Warner Ferratier is a fifth year Rabbinical student at JTS. A former public school teacher, he is the student rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel, Amsterdam, NY, and rabbinical intern at Congregation Torat El, Monmouth NJ.","short_description":"Warner Ferratier is a fifth year Rabbinical student at JTS","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38363,"alt":"","title":"Warner Ferratier","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","width":286,"height":405,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768-212x300.jpg","medium-width":212,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","medium_large-width":286,"medium_large-height":405,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","large-width":286,"large-height":405,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","1536x1536-width":286,"1536x1536-height":405,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","2048x2048-width":286,"2048x2048-height":405,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-e1534914377768.jpg","post_full_size-width":286,"post_full_size-height":405,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Warner-Ferratier-289x420.jpg","home_baner-width":289,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Simple help can sometimes be life-changing","post_main_content_content":"In this opening chapter of the Joseph narrative, there is one particular moment that has always struck me. In a short passage beginning with verse 15, our text tells us that \u201ca man\u201d found Joseph wandering in the field and asked what Joseph was looking for. Joseph tells him he is searching for his absent brothers, and the unnamed man tells him where to find them.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThis is the pivotal moment that sets in motion the rest of the Joseph narrative. The whole plot hinges on information that this anonymous man provides to Joseph. This stranger is so important that Midrash Genesis Rabbah cannot allow him to remain anonymous, and instead identifies him as the angel Gabriel. Several of the classical commentators accept this opinion, with only one, Ibn Ezra, saying that the man was a simple traveler.<\/span><\/p>\r\nI like to think that both explanations are correct. I can think of many times when I have gotten turned around and asked a stranger for directions. Usually people are very friendly, and happy to help. In a sense these ordinary people have been my \u201cangels\u201d in those moments. The consequences of following the directions have never been as life-changing for me as they were for Joseph, but it\u2019s nice to think that these \u201cangels\u201d were looking out for me.<\/span><\/p>\r\nThis is made more powerful if we read the stranger as an ordinary person acting as an angel. Not only might our own lives be influenced by these \u201cangels\u201d but we have the potential to be angels ourselves. Perhaps when we give simple help to strangers we are merely improving their day. On the other hand, perhaps the help we give them is life-changing! This text reminds us that even simple actions can have far-reaching consequences, especially when we are the angels who facilitate them.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":102502,"alt":"","title":"-621ceb3194105--621ceb3194107gen18-angel 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","post_title":"Humans and Angels: How Can We Tell the Difference?","slug":"humans-and-angels-how-can-we-tell-the-difference","old_id":"39100","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38047,"post_title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","slug":"shoshana-michael-zucker","old_id":"38047","first_name":"Shoshana Michael ","last_name":"Zucker ","description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor by profession, but would much rather be learning and teaching Torah. A graduate of Barnard College, she made aliyah in 1983 and now lives in Kfar Saba where she is an active member of the Masorti Congregation Hod veHadar. ","short_description":"Shoshana Michael Zucker is a translator and editor and lives in Kfar Saba \r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38048,"alt":"","title":"Shoshana Michael Zucker","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","width":231,"height":310,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker-224x300.jpg","medium-width":224,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","medium_large-width":231,"medium_large-height":310,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","large-width":231,"large-height":310,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","1536x1536-width":231,"1536x1536-height":310,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","2048x2048-width":231,"2048x2048-height":310,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","post_full_size-width":231,"post_full_size-height":310,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Shoshana-Michael-Zucker.jpg","home_baner-width":231,"home_baner-height":310}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"By paying attention, and responding with concern to people around us, we also have the potential to be a messenger","post_main_content_content":"It\u2019s hard to know what was in Jacob\u2019s mind when he sent Joseph to check on his brothers and the flocks (Genesis 37:11), because just one verse earlier the Torah explicitly notes that he was aware of the jealousy and tension between them: \u201cSo his brothers were wrought up at him, and his father kept the matter in mind.\u201d It\u2019s even less clear whether Joseph was aware of the risk because he seems rather oblivious to the sensitivity of the situation. In any case he answers his father, \u201cHere I am\u201d and goes off towards a destiny-changing encounter.<\/span><\/p>\r\nJoseph doesn\u2019t find his brothers easily because they aren\u2019t in the Nablus region as expected but rather they are farther from the Hebron Valley, in Dotan. The commentator Rashbam understands this is as a credit to Joseph who does not want to return to his father without completing his task. At precisely the right moment right person sees him wandering, asks what he is looking for, and is indeed able to give the correct answer. The coincidence is so amazing that Rashi claims, \u201cIt was Gabriel,\u201d an angel. However, Ibn Ezra stubbornly insists on reading the verse, \u201caccording to its simple meaning, a passerby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\nBut what if there is no disagreement between them? Perhaps the passerby is an angel?<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe word <\/span>malach<\/span><\/em> in the Bible is a messenger, earthly or heavenly. Jacob himself saw heavenly angels in his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:12), and later sent clearly human messengers to his brother Esau (Genesis 32:4). At what stage did Jacob realize that man he wrestled at the Ford of Jabbok was an angel (Genesis 32:22-30)?<\/span><\/p>\r\nHow can we tell the difference?<\/span><\/p>\r\nDid the passerby on the way to Nablus know that he was a divine messenger or understand the role he played in carrying out a divine plan?<\/span><\/p>\r\nThat seems unlikely but he was aware of his environment. He saw Joseph wandering, he approached him, he asked, and he helped. Most likely, he never knew the outcome of his actions.<\/span><\/p>\r\nPerhaps the message here is that each of us can serve as an angel or divine messenger. By paying attention, and responding with concern to people around us, we also have the potential to be a messenger of the divine. But we might never know it.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":39171,"alt":"","title":"shutterstock_158927855","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717.jpg","width":2502,"height":2972,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-253x300.jpg","medium-width":253,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-768x912.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":912,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-862x1024.jpg","large-width":862,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717.jpg","1536x1536-width":1293,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717.jpg","2048x2048-width":1724,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-1010x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1010,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/shutterstock_158927855-e1535903821717-354x420.jpg","home_baner-width":354,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Humans and Angels: How Can We Tell the Difference?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"By paying attention, and responding with concern to people around us, we also have the potential to be a 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Failure ","post_title":"Reuben\u2019s Failure","slug":"reubens-failure","old_id":"39106","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38220,"post_title":"Yehuda Rapoport","slug":"yehuda-rapoport","old_id":"38220","first_name":"Yehuda ","last_name":"Rapoport ","description":"Yehuda Rapoport is a Jewish educator, psychotherapist and a web developer. He was a recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt award for excellence in Jewish education. More of Yehuda's thoughts can be found at: yehudathoughts.blogspot.com","short_description":"Yehuda Rapoport is a Jewish educator, psychotherapist and a web developer. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38221,"alt":"","title":"Yehuda_Rapoport","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260.jpg","width":1142,"height":1114,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260-300x293.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":293,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260-768x749.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":749,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260-1024x999.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":999,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260.jpg","1536x1536-width":1142,"1536x1536-height":1114,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260.jpg","2048x2048-width":1142,"2048x2048-height":1114,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-1200x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yehuda_Rapoport-e1534784247260-431x420.jpg","home_baner-width":431,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"37","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"In the end, he wasn\u2019t even worried about Joseph, but about something - someone - else entirely","post_main_content_content":"Why did Reuben\u2019s plan to save his brother fail? I believe a little geography and a little psychology can help solve the riddle.<\/span><\/p>\r\nAfter casting Joseph into the pit, the brothers sit down to eat. Judah notices a caravan of Ishmaelites carrying spices to sell in Egypt. He sees an opportunity and suggests they sell Joseph. This is followed immediately by the following verse:<\/span><\/p>\r\nMidianite merchant-men passed by and they pulled and lifted Joseph from the pit and <\/span>they<\/b> sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver. And they brought Joseph to Egypt.<\/span><\/p>\r\nMost of us understand the subject of \u201cthey sold Joseph\u201d as the brothers\u2014the Midianites being the middlemen.<\/span><\/p>\r\nRashbam, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir (Rashi\u2019s grandson), offers an alternative interpretation: \u201cThey\u201d is referring to the Midianites. They sold Joseph before the brothers even reached the pit.<\/span><\/p>\r\nHere\u2019s how we would understand the story based on Rashbam: From the vantage point of Dothan (<\/span>located in the mountains with a clear view of the Via Maris, an ancient trade route)<\/span> Judah noticed a caravan of Ishmaelites and saw an opportunity to sell Joseph. The trek down from the mountains to the valley to meet up with the caravan can take some time and as the brothers finished their meal and prepared to make their way, Reuben ran ahead to the pit to save Joseph. But, he was too late. Before he arrived a group of Midianite merchants who were passing by found Joseph in the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites before the brothers were able to.<\/span><\/p>\r\nReuben\u2019s <\/span>reaction to discovering Joseph\u2019s absence seems to suggest that his failure was not just in being too slow. After tearing his clothes (in anger? in mourning?) he says:<\/span><\/p>\r\nThe boy is not (<\/span>