A Thought on Parshas Vayeshev

"...va'yehi HaShem es Yosef..." "...and HaShem was with Yosef..." (39:2) During the challenging years of Yosef's exile and captivity, HaShem was "with him." This phrase is difficult for us to grasp. Surely, HaShem is with someone at all times and in all circumstances and places. What does the Torah add here by reporting that in Egypt, too, HaShem was "with" Yosef? The Gan views it as less of a theocentric expression and more of a person-centered idea. It really does go without saying that HaShem is "there" and everywhere and thus is "with" one always. The focus of the phrase, however, is from Yosef's perspective. Yosef recognized how greatly he needed HaShem to help him during his many ordeals. The verse is saying that Yosef focused on sensing and knowing at all times that HaShem was with him. The Gan brings a midrashic parable: a herder was leading twelve camels laden with barrels of wine. One of the camels entered the shop of a heathen merchant. The herder let the remaining eleven camels graze in a field and he went in after the stray animal. People asked him "what's this that you are abandoning eleven and going after one?" The herder told them, "it may be that those other camels and their wine don't require much shepherding right now. This lone animal is carrying valuable wine while he is in the premises of someone who can easily defile that wine!" Under such circumstances, the herder explained, he needs me there more than the others, who are secure in a field where no one will contaminate their wine. The Gan now returns to our verse. When the Torah writes that HaShem was with Yosef in Egypt, the emphasis is on the protection that Yosef needed there, lest he be influenced and affected by the heathen environment. Yosef was aware of the risks, and sought HaShem in earnest. HaShem, in turn, sought out Yosef. The Gan observes that in TaNaCh, we find King Shlomo dedicating the Bais HaMikdash and proclaiming "Yehi HaShem Elokeinu Imanu" - "long may HaShem our Lord be with us" (Melachim I 8:57). This also captures the image of people seeking out HaShem in the fervent hope that HaShem will then "seek them out" as well. The Gan closes with a recommendation: every pious person should pray for HaShem to be with us as we make our way through this exile where they are devising bad decrees against us. Yehi HaShem Imanu! Good Shabbos. D Fox **************************************** The Gan was written by 13th century Rabbeinu Aharon ben Yosi haCohen, Baal Tosfos More pirushim presented by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox at http://thoughtonparsha.blogspot.com/