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By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum
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.
ופרצו חומת מגדלי (מעוז צור)
In our description of the oppression of the יונים we say that they breached the walls of the בית המקדש. This refers to the משנה in מסכת מדות which says that the Greeks made 13 breaches in the סורג and after the חשמונאים repaired them they established 13 bowings. The תוס’ יו”ט explains that the purpose of the סורג was to separate between where the non-Jews were allowed to enter and the places of more קדושה, where only Jews could go. It seems that that the יונים were fine with the existence of the בית המקדש, but they refused to accept that there was any special holiness in the Jewish nation. Rather, they wished to show that everyone can equally access the קדושה and become closer to Hashem. R’ Gedaliah Schorr explains that the significance of the number 13 is that it corresponds to the 13 Attributes of Mercy that we ascribe to Hashem. We are all commanded to emulate Hashem in these ways and are taught that we can become “similar” to Hashem, become G-dly, by following His 13 Attributes. This special ability, this unique potential to become so close to Hashem, is what the יונים tried to deny and destroy. This was the symbolism of their 13 breaches, to say that we are all the same and that the Jews do not possess any special G-dliness. To counteract this, the חשמונאים enacted 13 bowings. To bow to Hashem is to express humility and complete nullification of ourselves. This is the greatest possible attachment we can have with Hashem- showing that we are one with Him and emulate Him in all His ways.
