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

December 27, 2008 - January 25, 2009

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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 and His Brothers
Genesis Chapter 42, Verse 6

Verse 6: "ViYosaif HuHashalit Al Ha'aretz. Hu Hamashbeer Lichol Am Ha'aretz. Vayavo'u Achai Yosaif Vayeeshtachavu Lo Apayeem Artza"

"And Joseph-he was the ruler over the land, he was the provider for all of the people of the land. And the brothers of Joseph came and they bowed to him with their faces to the ground."

Overview of the Biblical Text:

As monarch, Joseph had the power to summon his brothers before him. Although he recognized them, his brothers did not recognize him. They prostrated themselves before him out of respect for royalty. Joseph recalled his dream in which all of his brothers had bowed to him. Because his dreams were messages from G-D, he realized that one more brother would have to bow to him before he could reveal who he was.

So, Joseph did not behave very brotherly towards his brothers. Instead, he accused them of being spies. His "proof" was that they had all entered through separate gates. Of course his brothers denied these outrageous charges, but Joseph demanded proof. The brothers volunteered that they were all sons of the same father and even had one more brother at home. Upon hearing this, Joseph said he would need to see the youngest brother in order to believe them. Joseph allowed his brothers to return to the land of Canaan with provisions for their family, but he kept Simon hostage to insure that they would return.

Jacob was not pleased that the brothers had agreed to bring Benjamin down to Egypt, but he had no choice and sent Benjamin back with the rest of his brothers. The brothers returned to Joseph with Benjamin and Simon was released. This time all eleven brothers bowed to Joseph. Joseph knew that in addition to his forgiveness his brothers also needed to be forgiven by G-D for selling him and making him suffer. Before he would reveal himself, he wanted to be certain that his brothers were truly remorseful over their past misdeeds. (This concept is called T'shuva. If a person sincerely regrets their past misdeeds, apologizes and intends to refrain from that negative behavior, then G-D forgives them.)

Joseph's brothers were not aware that he understood their language because he spoke to them through an interpreter. He was able to overhear his brothers' anguish as they discussed amongst themselves their regret for having sold him.