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YOSEF AND THE SILENT WAGONS 5772

When Yaakov Avinu sees the wagons which Yosef sent him from Egypt, he exclaimed עוד יוסף בני חי  my son Yosef is still alive. What was it about these wagons that were a testimony to Yaakov that Yosef was alive? Furthermore we never find that Yaakov confronted Yosef demanding an explanation of what really transpired that led him to land up in Mitzrayim. Our Chazal tell us that he suspected foul play with his brothers (42,36 Rashi) and yet he did not make any inquiry to ascertain the true facts? I would like to suggest the following explanation.

IN G-D WE TRUST OR SO THEY SAY 5771

Yosef tells his brothers that when they return to their father they should relate to him that  אלקים לאדון בכל ארץ מצרים שמני That Hashem made me king  in Egypt. The Riszhiner asks does one think that Yaakov was truly interested in Yosef’s new political career? He answers that the way to read the passuk is rather the following that שמני means I placed Hashem as the ruler in Mitzrayim and not that Hashem placed me. For Yosef spread spirituality and the awareness of Hashem’s kingdom in places where it did not exist.

The Chariot that Yosef Harnessed to Greet his Father

As Yosef went to meet his father after an absence of twenty two years the passuk tells us [46,29] “vayeesor es merkavto” and he harnessed his chariot and he went up towards Yisrael his father to Goshen and he appeared to him”. Rashi on these last two words “vayiera ailav”  comments that “Yosef appeared to his father”. The mefarshim ask what is Rashi attempting to convey to us more than what seems obvious from the literal translation? Another difficulty in the passuk is why is Yaakov at all mentioned in the passuk and specifically with the name Yisrael?

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