| 25. And they sat down to eat a meal, and they lifted their eyes and saw, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, and their camels were carrying spices, balm, and lotus, going to take [it] down to Egypt. | כה. וַיֵּשְׁבוּ לֶאֱכָל לֶחֶם וַיִּשְׂאוּ עֵינֵיהֶם וַיִּרְאוּ וְהִנֵּה אֹרְחַת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִים בָּאָה מִגִּלְעָד וּגְמַלֵּיהֶם נֹשְׂאִים נְכֹאת וּצְרִי וָלֹט הוֹלְכִים לְהוֹרִיד מִצְרָיְמָה: |
Rashi explains that caravans usually had bad smells, but Hashem made sure that this caravan in specific didn't smell bad because a tzadik would be inside of it. Therefore, the smell of the caravan did not bother Yosef.
The Zichron Meir comes to expand on Rashis answer and says that if Hashem wants a certain person to undergo suffering, once that suffering is complete he will suffer no more. Yosef needed to suffer through shame and slavery, but not that of a bad smell. Therefore Hashem made sure that the caravan did not smell.
What other possibilities are there as to why the small detail of a caravan is mentioned in the Pasuk?
The Malbim explains that the significance of this detail is that these same spices are later given by Yaakov to his son (Genesis 43:11) as means of appeasing him. The Malbim adds that these spices were kept in small vials which allowed Yosef to travel on the camel itself. The Ha' Emek Davar says that this was a major blessing for Yosef because there is no way he would have the strength to get to Egypt on his own.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Mordechai Porgraminsky builds on the Rashi and explains how Yosef was in a state of despair, as he was being separated from his family. The smell of the spices really was a significant detail, and to explain this, he brings in a mashal about a person undergoing a major surgery. After the operation, the patient's family anxiously awaits his return to consciousness. As soon as his eyes open everyone is extremely happy and relieved. Though there is still a long way to go, this sign of impending recovery encourages the family immensely.
ReplyDeleteThe same thing applies to Yosef. He was just at the beginning of a long road to Geulah. These good smelling spices served as a small sign that Hashem had not abandoned him. This notion comforted him greatly and boosted his confidence for the inevitable Geulah.
Rabbi Mordechai Porgaminsky is puzzled by this passuk. Yosef was in a state of distress as he is torn away from his father and carried off into slavery. why would something so trivial as the smell of what the camels were carrying be any significance whatsoever?? this is comparable to a patient in a hospital. his family waits beside him awaiting his return to consciousness and as soon as his eyes flutter open they begin to rejoice. though the patient still has a long way to go the first small sign of his recovery fills the family with hope and encouragement. the same is applied to Yosef. Yes, his salvation was still a long way off but this small sign the Hashem had not abandoned him was a source of tremendous comfort and support which adds to his faith. we can always appreciate the small things in life. Shabbat Shalom!
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