Rabbi Y. Benyowitz
(Genesis 44:18-47:27)
This week’s portion continues a story from where we left it last week. Binyomin (Benjamin) has been caught with the Egyptian Vicory's personal goblet. The Viceroy’s representatives determined that whomever was found with the goblet would be punished with slavery, but that his travel companions, his brothers, would be free to go. Instead, he and all of his brothers return to Egypt to meet with the Viceroy. Yehudah (Judah) pleads with Yosef (Joseph, the viceroy) to allow him to suffer the slavery that is, at this time, Binyomin’s destiny.
As a result of that exchange, Yosef can no longer continue the charade and, after having all of the Egyptians leave the room, reveals that he is their brother. He instructs them to immediately go and bring their father down to Egypt. The Torah then records (45:16) that "the message went out to Pharoh's house that Yosef's brothers had come to Egypt and both Pharoh and his servants were pleased with the information."
The Ramban (Nachmanides) comments that Yosef's leadership role in Egypt was a disgrace to the Egyptians. They had been forced to accept the reality that this former slave was the only person in the country fit to head the grain collection and distribution operation. It was a person who had no known ancestry for whom the only background information on file was jail time. Yosef had told them that he comes from a noble family and that he has eleven brothers. Still, he had no proof to that claim. Thus, his already well established talents of being able to wisely and successfully guide the nation through this rough time was not enough to remove the shame they felt. When Yosef's brothers come Pharoh and his servants are finally uplifted.
A Choson (bridegroom) and Kallah can (bride) have many personal accomplishments. They can even be self-made. Still, it is their roots that give them their full acclaim and others a full appreciation of their accomplishments thus far in life. It is for this reason, that at this time a Choson should show his recognition and appreciation toward his parents so that his Kallah will better appreciate what she is getting. A Kallah, too, should use this opportunity to show her recognition and appreciation to her parents so as to allow her Choson to see the whole person. And what a wonderful celebration it is that we can recognize the Jewish royalty our Choson and Kallah are products of!
May the Jewish monarchy and nobility of today’s families endure and further blossom with this couple.
Copyright 2000 Rabbi Yirmiyahu Benyowitz and MyJewishWedding.com
