"And Joseph harnessed his chariot and went up to meet his father, Israel, in Goshen. When he appeared to him, he fell on his neck and he wept excessively on his neck." (bereishit 46:29)
Rashi says that despite the fact that Yosef was second in command, he harnessed his own chariot in order to get it done quickly, thus being able to greet his father quicker. What is another reason Yosef may have harnessed his own chariot?
(E.C. Where else do we see a similar case in Tanach?)
Yosef personally harnessed his chariot when going to meet his father upon arriving in Goshen. Although he had many servants who could have done this task, Yosef did this by himself; because he was eager to honor his father. Ralbag says, even someone who has attained much power must honor his parents to his utmost ability.
ReplyDeleteAlthough,Yosef was the Governor of an entire country, he still treated his father with great honor. When going to meet Yaakov he did not go with the pride of a ruler but simply, as a son honoring his father. (Midrash Hagadol)
Extra credit : Paraoh does this when chasing Bnei yisroel after they had left Mitzrayim.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, Avraham did this before leaving to do akaeidas yitzchak.
Bilaam also does this.
Ibn Ezra comments on this as well- but he says the opposite. He states that Yosef DIDNT harness his chariot himself- he just ORDERED for someone else to do it. He then gives another example in Tanach where it says a ruler/leader did an action but someone else actually did it. He bring i Melachim when it says that Shlomo built the Beit HaMikdash. Obviously HE didnt build and cement every single stone himself- he just ordered other to do it but it was still called "Shlomo's Temple". So the same thing applies here. Yosef was a very hugh figure so he just commanded someone to do it for him- but it still says that YOSEF did it.
ReplyDeleteYosef knew the misconception that people would have about his father. So he made the decision as the most powerful, feared and revered person in the world, to harness his own chariot for the sake of greeting him. Through his actions Yosef communicated that despite who he was, his father Yaakov was far superior. Thus, Yosef honored him by harnessing his own chariot so that the Egyptians would have a semblance of understanding and an appreciation of the dimension of Yaakov. In this way, they would have a minimal understanding that Yaakov was greater than the second in command of Egypt.
ReplyDeletein the book - "honor your father and mother" by Ze'ev Grinyald, Grinyald writes: A person like Yosef, with his stature, wouldnt harness his own horse.Men like him would have servants do it for them. Yosef specifically chose to do this on his own - there must be a reason for it. This is to show that a strong will - love or hatred can alter a persons usual course. Yosef had so much love and anticipation when meeting his father, he changed from his usual acts.
ReplyDeletePharoah also does this he was going to capture the Jews at the red sea (this time represents hatred)
The Ibn Ezra offers an alternative approach when resolving the question on this Pasuk. The Ibn Ezra states that although it may seem as though Yosef harnessed his own chariot, in reality, Yosef only ordered his servants to complete the task. Yosef had the job completed rather than completing it himself. Extra Credit: A similar case appears when Shlomo Hamelech is building the Beit Hamikdash. In that Pasuk, it seems as though Shlomo Hamelech is cementing the stones of the Beit Hamikdash himself, when in reality, Shlomo had the Beit Hamikdash built by others.
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