By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum
אלה תולדות יעקב יוסף (פרק לז פסוק ב)
The Parsha introduces the story of Yosef and his brothers by stating “these are the chronicles (or
offspring, see Rashi) of Yaakov, Yosef etc.” Simply, the Pasuk is saying that Yaakov’s life story was
shaped through the following story regarding Yosef. The Chofetz Chaim, however, explains on a deeper
level the Pasuk is telling us that to predict the future story of “Yaakov”- referring to the entirety of the
Jewish People- one can look at the life of Yosef. Yosef was the most beloved son, and his brothers hated
him for it. They did everything in their power to get rid of him until eventually he was sent to a foreign
land with a bleak-looking future. He went through various tests and difficulties there, at every turn
seeming as if he was doomed forever and nothing would ever become of him. Eventually, he rose to
power, ironically through the very occurrences that seemed to be against him. Afterwards his brothers
came, bowed to him, and finally admitted their wrongdoing. The Jewish Nation is very similar, being
prized by Hashem and hated by the nations around them. They are sent away from their land to
unfriendly nations who seem to be completely capable of wiping them out. Eventually, however, when
they are saved and raised to their exalted heights, they will recognize that all the hardships they faced in
גלות made them better and stronger. It was through those difficulties that they became great and rose
to be princes of the world. Then all the nations will come and admit to the injustice that they
perpetrated, and truth will reign.
ויראו אחיו…וישנאו אותו…ויקנאו בו אחיו (פרק לז פסוק ד-יא)
The Parsha begins by relating the strained relationship between Yosef and his brothers. First the שבטים
are described as having hated Yosef because of the favoritism shown to him by Yaakov. This sentiment is
repeated a few פסוקים later when Yosef relates dreams that seemingly convey his superiority over them.
Finally, the Torah says that after an additional dream of the same character, his brothers were jealous of
him. Normally one would think that jealousy breeds hatred. That is, when a person rises over their
peers, they become more jealous, and this eventually causes them to hate him. The פסוקים, however,
seem to go in the opposite direction, the שבטים begin with hate and end with jealousy. R’ Yisroel
Reisman pointed out that we see from here that truthfully hatred breeds jealousy. When someone has
שנאה towards their peer, this will cause them to be jealous of them. Without hatred being a factor, the
desire for more in life will not become personal. A person will not hold it against their friend when they
rise above them. R’ Reisman says that we can use this information in our personal growth. If we find
ourselves jealous of others, the proper way to work on it is by strengthening our אהבת ישראל. By truly
loving every Jew we will not be jealous of other’s successes, and we will be able to aspire for more
without it becoming a personal battle against them.
