mashiaj ben yosef

 

5 Parsha Highlights for Further Discussion
x Rokeach explains that the source to take three steps forward prior to shemonah esrai is based on the three times we see the word ויגש used in the Torah (The beginning of our parsha, Bereishis 18:23, and Melachim 1 18:36) each is dealing with a different form of supplication and can shed light on the different types of prayer a Jewish must engage in.

x Gur Aryeh (46:5) has a long piece discussed whether the Avos kept the Torah. He makes a distinction between מצות עשה ומצות לא תעשה. As elaborated in his Tiferes Yisroel ch. 20 he explains that in order to cultivate a relationship you need to be active. Passive adherence to God’s negative commandments cannot  create a relationship. Important distinction for interpersonal relationships as well.

x Kotzker Rebbe explains Rashi 45:14 that Yosef cried over the future tragedy to happen to Binyamin and Binyamon cried over the future tragedy to happen to Yosef because regarding your own pain you can attribute it to faith in God’s plan, but for someone else’s pain you need, as the Kotzker explains, a little “Apikorsus,” and completely empathize with the gravity of the tragedy.

 

Foundations  

משיח בן יוסף

Mashiach Ben Yosef

This week’s parsha begins with a confrontation between Yosef and Yehudah. The Haftorah for the Parsha (Yechezkal 37:15- 28)discusses the eventual break between Yosef and Yehudah and their unification during the ultimate redemption

1. Where do we know there will be a Mashiach Ben Yosef?

a. Bereishis Rabbah 93:2 explains the verse in Tehillim 48:5 that Yosef and Dovid are together are Kings.

b. Bereishis Rabbah 75:6 explains that the description of Yosef as בכור שור is a designation for him as the forbearer of Mashiach Ben Yosef.

2. The Death of Mashiach Ben Yosef

a. Zecharia 12:10-11 has a vague description of a day of mourning for the Jewish people. The Gemorah in Succah 52a cites a dispute between R. Dosa and Rabbanan over who the people were mourning. One says they are mounring the death of Mashiach Ben Yosef, while the other opinion explains they were mourning the death of the Yetzer Harah.

3. Heart and Mind of the Jewish People

a. Maharal, Netzach Yisroel ch. 37 explains that the Jewish people are collectively like one person and Yosef corresponds to its heart, while Yehuda corresponds to the mind.

4. Through Our Initiative

a. In the sefer קול התור by R. Hillel Rivlin, a student of the Vilna Gaon, ti is attributed to the Gaon that the first redemption of Mashiach Ben Yosef will be through the natural means of our own initiative, while only the second redemption with Mashiach Ben Dovid will be through supernatural means.

i. It is important to note that R. Shternbach (Teshuvot V’Hanhagot vol. 4 #328) questions the  authenticity of these statements to the Vilna Gaon.

5. R. Kook on Mashiach Ben Yosef

a. In a famous eulogy for Theodor Herzl, one of the chief proponents of the modern state of Israel, R. Kook asked (in "המספד בירושלים") why in fact do the Jewish people need two Messiahs? Shouldn’t one suffice? He  explains that each Messiah has a different purpose: Material well-being versus spiritual well-being. Mashiach Ben Yosef is focused on the material well-being of the Jewish people, while Mashiach Ben Yehudah is focused on spiritual well-being to establish the Jewish people as a Torah nation. Once the Jewish tribes were split, these two focuses, which should have been embodied in one Messiah, were split as well. All throughout Jewish history there has been a residual tension between those focused on the material well-being and those on the spiritual well-being of the Jewish people.

5 Parsha Highlights for Further Discussion (cont.)

x Beis HaLevi has an important drasha on Yosef’s confrontation to his brothers where he explains the  importance of being honest with yourself and the danger of hypocrisy.

x Rashi (46:29) says that Yaakov was saying Shema when he met Yosef. Maharal there (as well as many other meforshim) discuss why Yaakov decided to say Shema at this moment? Maharal explains that he was channeling his experience and emotions that moment to the service of God. When we experience lift- changing moments it is important to remember where our thoughts should be directed.