Parshat Miketz 5773 Schedule

Weekly Words of Torah

“As Hashem was with him”

Insights into Parshat Vayeshev of Ram emeritus, Rav Moshe Ganz of Yeshivat Sha’alvim, published in the recent volume, Pnei Shabbat, by Rav Re’uven Ungar of Yeshivat Sha’alvim.

Chazal criticize Yosef for requesting from the Officer of Beverages (Sar HaMashkim) to remember him to exit jail (Midrash Raba 89:3). They state that Yosef remained in prison for two years due to his reliance upon human intervention.

It is difficult to comprehend this Midrash. Are we required to trust Hashem at the exclusion of all human efforts (hishtadlut) for success? Logic dictates that man is required to toil with his own hands and Hashem will send His blessing! This concept is mentioned in Chazal (Tanchuma, Vayetzei 13).

Some propenents of the Mussar movement suggest that Yosef’s double mention of remembering (zechartani vehizkartani) was excessive in regards to his stature. The Chazon Ish writes that the probability of the Sar HaMashkim remembering Yosef was close to nil. Thus, beseeching him to remember Yosef was an act of desperation, and a person who trusts in Hasehm properly does not employ such actions.

There is, perhaps, a different solution. The whole story of the sale of Yosef and the subsequent happenings are to be viewed as an amazing chain of Divinely controlled events; from the actions of the brothers, and especially in the aftermath. “And Hashem was with Yosef and he was a successful man”. In describing the lives of the forefathers, normally the Torah- in the narrative- does not record Hashem’s intervention (as evidenced by the success of Yitzchak Avinu- Sefer Bereshit 26:13). Rather, Avimelech mentions the G-d given success. Only when a supernatural event is recorded (such as the affliction of Avimelech’s household), is Hashem recorded in the narrative.

However, in the case of Yosef, the miraculous was the norm. Thus, Hashem is recorded as the source of Yosef’s success in numerous junctures- in the home of Potiphar and in prison. Indeed, Yosef conveyed to the prisoners that his talents were bequeathed to him from Hashem.

Due to the fact that Hashem was with Yosef, it was proper for him to remain in the eyes of the Sar HaMashkim as an exalted and respected individual. The honor accorded to Yosef would magnify the Honor of Hashem. When Yosef requested assistance from the Sar HaMashkim, he portrayed himself as a weak individual, who needed the help of the Sar HaMashkim. The spiritual damage that this caused is somewhat reminiscent of the damage caused by Gechazi, who requested a gift from Na’aman in the name of the prophet Elisha. Elisha refused to accept gifts from Na’aman, as a man of G-d gives, does not receive. The action of Gechazi tarred this image.

The request of Yosef for assistance from the Sar HaMashkim likewise detracted from his image as a man of G-d. Nevertheless, the resolution of this difficulty requires substantial thought.