Rav Turetsky
Yaakov
had a hard time coping with the loss of Yosef. Yosef was his favorite child,
and he undoubtedly experienced tremendous pain and sorrow when Yosef
disappeared. Finally, after many years of believing Yosef was dead, Yaakov
learns that Yosef is alive and that he will be reunited with his son once
again. One can certainly assume that Yosef also felt very close to his father
and shared a close bond with Yaakov. Reuniting with Yaakov would presumably be
an incredibly emotional experience for Yosef as well.
Yet,
the Torah’s description of their emotional embrace is most perplexing (Breishit
46:29). It seems from the pasuk that only one of them really embraced the other
and cried, while the other remained silent and passive. The Torah uses no names
but rather leaves the identity of each somewhat ambiguous. Who cried and who
chose to remain silent?
1.
Ramban (ad loc) writes that Yaakov is the one who cried. He explains that a
parent like Yaakov would be much more likely to have a strong emotional
reaction than his children, especially one like Yosef who was a ruler of Egypt.
While
not entirely clear why Yosef was not
similarly moved,[1] Ramban’s understanding certainly reminds us of an
important idea. Yaakov cried because of the intense emotional connection he had
with Yosef, something shared by almost all parents. Sometimes it is hard for
children (of any age) to properly appreciate their parents’ emotional
connection to them. Yaakov’s reaction reminds us of the need to recognize our
parents, love and commitment to us and treat them accordingly and with much
sensitivity.
2.
Rashi (ad loc) cites Chazal’s well-known comment. Yosef emotionally
embraced Yaakov, but Yaakov did not embrace or kiss his son. According to
Chazal, Yaakov was busy reciting Keriat Shemah.
Many
are bothered by this comment of Chazal. Was there no better time to recite Keriat
Shemah than the moment he was reunited with his son? While various
interpretations are offered,[2] some offer a simple and powerful idea.[3] Yaakov loved Yosef so much. At
that moment, he was so inspired by positive emotions and thanksgiving towards
Hashem for allowing them to reunite. He recognized in the moment of intense joy
that God played a role in their ability to see each other once more.
Maharal’s
approach highlights an important idea. B”H many are blessed with wonderful
events that occur in their lives. Yaakov’s capacity to recognize Hashem in that
time of happiness reminds us of the critical need to be aware of what God does
for us.
May
we be Zoche to appreciate our loved one and the role that Hashem plays in our
lives.
Shabbat
Shalom!
[1]
At one point, Ramban even writes that it would have been disrespectful for
Yosef to have embraced Yaakov in the way it was described in the pasuk
[2]
For a unique approach, see Rav Mordechai Eliyahu’s commentary on Chumash
[3]
Maharal in Gur Aryeh (ad loc).
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