Words From Rabbi White

Dear mitpallelim,

IS THIS A WHITE LIE? (NO CONNECTION TO MY NAME!)

After the brothers returned from burying Yaakov, they were afraid that with their father gone, Yosef might think about all the trouble they had caused him, and that he might feel that now is “payback time.” [The Aramaic Targum uses the phrase “yittar devavu,” which seems to mean that they were afraid that he had been keeping the hatred within himself, and now the hatred will express itself.]

So, they sent a message to Yosef saying, “your father commanded before his death that you should tell Yosef to please forgive the sin of your brothers, for they had acted badly towards you; and now, please forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God.”

Whom did Yaakov appoint to be the messenger to the brothers? The Jerusalem Targum states that it was none other than Bilhah, who had been Rachel’s servant, and with whom Yaakov had fathered Dan and Naftali. It is reasonable to assume that Yosef had a special affinity towards Bilhah. Indeed, at the beginning of chapter 37, we are told that Yosef associated particularly with the children of the servants Bilhah and Zilpah. Rashi, on our verse in question, following midrashim, says that the messengers were Bilhah’s children.

Yet this leads into another question: did Yaakov really tell someone to tell Yosef to forgive his brothers? Why didn’t Yaakov, before his death, tell Yosef himself? At the beginning of the parasha, we read that Yaakov had private time with Yosef, when Yaakov asked him that he not be buried in Egypt. That would have been a perfect time to tell Yosef to remember to forgive his brothers!

So, Rashi, basing himself on many midrashim, says that Yaakov never had sent such a message, because he never was concerned that Yosef would harbour such enmity. Yet it is reasonable to assume that the brothers were scared, and therefore made up a story. Indeed, the gemara in Tractate Yevamot (page 65b) says that R. Elazar ben Shimon quoted our verse as proof that it is permissible to change the truth (what we would call a white lie,) for the sake of peace. 

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As we conclude the Book of Bereishis, we are reminded of the words of General Yoav in the Book of II Samuel:, “be strong, and let us be strong for the sake of our nation  and the cities of our God.””

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On Monday, 13 Tevet, Michael Rubin observes for his grandmother Lillian; and Leonard Mintz observes for his grandfather Rav Shlomo Gershuny.

On Shabbat, 18 Tevet, Irwin Miller observes for his mother Bessie, Basia bat Hirsh.

May the neshamot have aliya

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Have you noticed? The secular and Jewish dates are the same for most of this month. Very rare!

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I happened to turn on the radio the other evening while driving home, and was excited to hear Stephen Harper being interviewed on the local radio station WABC. He made a very strong impression on the host.

I remind you again of the mission to Israel sponsored by the Teaneck paper The Jewish Link.  It is from Sunday, March 2^nd through the following Sunday. Based on my participation last year, it will be a most rewarding experience, which I highly recommend. For more information, it is best to call the Link directly at 201-895-3061.

Shabbat shalom, shalom `al Yisrael, Rabbi Menahem White