Spiritual Gems from the parsha

And Pharoah called Joseph, Tzafnat Paneiach (Genesis 41:45)

Pharoah changed Joseph's name because he didn't want his viceroy to have a Jewish sounding name. However, he continued to be called by the name Josef, as it is written in the next verse: "And Josef went out from Pharoah's presence."

(Yalkut David)

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they recognized him not (Gen. 42:8)

Joseph's brothers never expected that a man as involved in worldly affairs as the viceroy of Egypt could be their brother. In their world view, the only way to serve G-d properly was to divorce oneself from worldly matters and pursue a life of spiritual contemplation, much as they were able to do in their chosen profession of shepherding. Joseph, however, was on a higher level of spirituality, able to maintain his attachment to G-d even while involved in the day-to-day affairs of state.

(Torah Ohr)


When Joseph's brothers came under his power he recognized them as his brothers - he acted compassionately as a brother should. But when Joseph fell into their hands they did not recognize their brotherly obligations, and they sold him.

(Tzena U'rena)

Your G-d, and the G-d of your fathers, has given you a treasure...and he brought Shimon out to them (Gen. 43:32)

This verse alludes to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who would one day reveal the treasures hidden within the Torah in his holy book, the Zohar.

(Ma'ayana Shel Torah)