Parshas Vayetzei: Yosef the Flame Between Avos and Banim
- In Parshah
- Drasha
Sefer Bereishis, part of Perek 30
AI summary (may contain mistakes)
Why could Yaakov leave Lavan only once Yosef was born? Rashi brings a pasuk: Yaakov is a fire that stays in its place, and Yosef is the flame that reaches out and burns the straw of Esav. In Rav Hutner's explanation, each av gives the Jewish DNA something, and Yaakov's gift is that a Yid stays a Yid. Yosef, who refused eishes Potifar, protects that kedusha, so he is both av and ben.
Key points
- Rashi brings a pasuk: Yaakov is fire, Yosef is flame, and Esav is straw.
- Yosef stands as both av and shevet, a bridge from the avos to the Shvatim.
- Following Rav Hutner, Avraham gives becoming a Yid, Yitzchak being born one, and Yaakov staying one.
- Yosef, who refused eishes Potifar, builds into Klal Yisrael the strength to withstand that nisayon.
- Rashi on even Yisrael reads even as av and ben, which is Yosef.
