Vayeshev 2022

1This Zohar attributes the exile of Joseph as a punishment for Jacob’s deceit of his father:

2“And a man found him (Joseph), and, behold he was confused (lost) in a field. And the man asked him saying, “What are you pursuing?” and he replied, “It is my brothers that I pursue, please tell me (if you know), where “Ey-Foh” they are herding.”

3“And Isaac trembled a great trembling saying who “Ey-Foh” was he that hunted a meal and brought it to me and I ate it before you came and I blessed him? He too shall be blessed.” (Gen 27:32)

4Jacob was punished with “Ey-Foh”. On account of the deceit of Isaac where the Torah uses the term “Ey-Foh” Joseph, who repeated the very same “Ey-Foh” was sent down to Egypt. All this despite God’s approval in this matter. (Zohar Chadash :142B) Is there a deeper understanding of this Zohar other than the connection between the two stories via the use a specific word? What did Joseph do to be sent into slavery?

5By saying “I am your first-born Esau” Jacob became Esau-like in his own persona. The negative consequences of becoming Esau-like were far reaching for Jacob. His children too, were affected. They too took on personality traits and characteristics that best suited Esau. The violence of the slaughter in Shechem was more closely related to Esau behavior than to Jacob behavior. It astounded Jacob, including the brothers blunt unfeeling response when challenged. The plot to kill their own brother reminds us of Esau’s plot to kill Jacob. Joseph was the one son not affected as the Pasuk reads, “And the House of Jacob shall be fire and the House of Joseph shall be a flame and the House of Esau shall be stubble and they will kindle in them and consume them and there shall be no one remaining in the House of Esau for so has God spoken.” (Obadiah 1:18) Possibly Joseph was the preferred son because he was pure and untarnished by the Esau event. Joseph was the antithesis of Esau. The one exception was in the area of “Kibud Av” respecting parents. Joseph exhibited Esau like qualities in his unrelenting honoring of his father:

6And Israel said unto Joseph, aren’t your brothers shepherding in Shechem? Go and I will send you over to them. And Joseph responded. “Hineini” - “here I am”. (Gen 37:13) A language of humility and intensity to fulfill his father’s wishes. -(Rashi) “Joseph’s casket accompanied the Holy Ark saying that the one contained in this fulfilled that which is written in this, namely “You shall honor your father and mother” which Joseph fulfilled with “Hineini”.” (Mechilta Beshalach :1) The Sefer Chasidim writes,” And Joseph learned this quality from Esau, both knew the danger inherent in fulfilling father’s wishes, whether hunting for wild animals Esau went to fulfill his father’s wishes, so did Joseph know the hatred that the brothers had towards him yet he went with “Hineini”. “

7Joseph could not remain in Jacob’s house where deception and misdirection were evident. He was destined to leave a house infected with the consequences of “I am Esau your first born”. Joseph, it may be argued, was destined from the very beginning to leave that family and to start his own nation. We will soon see in the next Parshiyot that it was Judah who saved Joseph and the family.

8Shabbat Shalom

9Isaac