Joseph the Righteous: Lessons from His Unwavering Faith

In this week's Torah portion, Vayeshev, we delve into the life of Joseph the Righteous, Rachel's first son and Jacob's eleventh son.

10 Fascinating Facts about Joseph the Righteous:

1. Fear of Hashem

Joseph was known for his awe of Hashem. When his brothers came to Egypt, thinking him to be Egypt’s ruler, he said, "I fear Hashem." The Ramban wrote about his resistance to Potiphar's wife: "He refused her desires even though she was his mistress, as he feared her less than he feared Hashem."

2. Constant Invocation of Hashem

Rashi explains on the verse: "Hashem was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and whatever he did, Hashem made prosperous." It was said, "He would whisper upon entering and whisper upon exiting," indicating he constantly prayed to Hashem during all his tasks.

When Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officers, he said, "Interpretation belongs to Hashem," and to Pharaoh, "Hashem will answer Pharaoh's peace," and to his brothers who sold him, "Do not be distressed; it was Hashem who sent me before you to sustain you... to provide you a great deliverance." Before his death, he told them, "Hashem will surely remember you."

3. Understanding It’s All for the Good

Despite his brothers' harm, first wanting to kill him, then casting him into a pit and selling him, Joseph held no grudge. He said, "You meant harm against me, but Hashem meant it for good, to save many people alive."

Rabbi Shnir Guetta - Lessons from Joseph's Trial with Potiphar's Wife

4. Honor for Parents

When his father Jacob instructed him to check on his brothers' welfare, he obeyed despite knowing their animosity towards him.

5. Guarding Speech

Joseph never told his father that his brothers sold him. Furthermore, after reuniting, he avoided being alone with Jacob so he wouldn't have to answer how he ended up in Egypt.

6. Respect for Maidservants' Sons

Joseph ensured his brothers had clothing to avoid shame. When his brothers came to Egypt, he moved the Egyptians around to hide that his brothers didn’t own land. Upon revealing himself as Joseph, he ordered everyone out, risking his life as the brothers might still attack him, not knowing his identity.

7. Humility

The sages in Shemot Rabbah say, "Though Joseph attained kingship, he never boasted over his brothers or family, remaining humble as he was when he was a slave in Egypt."

8. Strength

Joseph earned the title "The Righteous" for resisting temptation with Potiphar's wife, a symbol of maintaining the covenant. In Kabbalah, Joseph represents the attribute of Yesod, related to covenant keeping, akin to an ox for his strength: "His firstborn bull is his glory."

9. Divine Inspiration

Joseph was blessed with divine inspiration from youth until his death, guided in wisdom. Hashem was with him in prosperity and adversity. In Midrash Rabbah: "Hashem was with Joseph" – Rabbi Yudan on Rabbi Ivo's behalf stated: It means prosperity and adversity were known by Hashem: "The prison warden didn't manage anything under his authority, because Hashem was with him."

10. Protection from the Evil Eye

Joseph’s descendants are said to be immune to the evil eye, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well." A known protection against the evil eye is saying: "I am of the seed of Joseph, over whom the evil eye has no power."

Rabbi Baruch Rosenblum's Wonderful Insights on Joseph the Righteous: