JCC Association's Early Childhood Curriculum Project 'This New Month'

December 10, 2007 - January 7, 2008

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This Month's Torah Portions:

Overview
Pharaoh's Dream
Joseph Becomes Royalty
The Famine
Joseph and his Brothers
Joseph Reveals his Identity

Joseph Reveals His Identity
Genesis Chapter 45, Verses 3 and 28

Verse 3: "Vayomer Yosaif el echav: Anee Yosaif Ha'od Avi Chay? Vilo Yachlu echav La'anot Oto Kee Neevhalu Meepanav"

"And Joseph said to his brothers: I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? And his brothers were unable to answer him because they were bewildered in front of him."

Verse 28: "Vayomer Yisrael: Rav! Od Yosaif Beinee Chay. Ailcha Vi'er'enu Biterem Amut"

"And Israel (Jacob) said: this is much (happiness and joy!) My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."

Overview of the Biblical Text:

Joseph was so overcome with emotion, that he could not hold himself back any more He asked all strangers to leave the room and then said to his brothers: I am Joseph who you sold into slavery so many years ago. His brothers were so ashamed of themselves, they did not know how to react. They were also afraid that Joseph was still mad at them and that he might harm them. Joseph assured his brothers that they had no need to worry. This was all part of G-D's plan so that he would be able to sustain his family in this time of hunger.

Joseph begged his brothers to quickly return to their father and let him know that Joseph was still alive. He also promised them a portion of land in Egypt called Goshen where they would be able to live for the next five years until the famine was over. Joseph sent his brothers with wagon loads of food and clothing to bring back to their father, along with his warmest wishes. He also repeated his invitation that they come to Egypt.

After hearing the joyous news that his son Joseph was still alive, Jacob was anxious to go to Egypt to see him. Jacob packed up his whole family including his children and grandchildren and, after having endured two years of famine, they traveled to Egypt to see Joseph and settle in Goshen. Joseph chose Goshen as the area of settlement for his family for two reasons: 1) The land was rich and fertile- perfect for grazing animals. Joseph's brothers were shepherds. This was in contrast with the Egyptians who worshipped sheep and believed that they should be allowed to roam free. Joseph didn't want his brothers to antagonize the Egyptians by shepherding their sheep right in front of them. The land of Goshen was an excellent compromise. The sheep had the grazing grounds they needed while the shepherds were out of the Egyptians' direct view. 2) Jacob wanted to raise his family with the values of Abraham and Isaac. The secluded land of Goshen provided a sheltered lifestyle in which he wanted his family to be raised.

Discussion Questions/Activity Ideas:

Joseph's brothers had sold Joseph into slavery when he was a child. Why did Joseph forgive them now?