In Parshat Vayigash, Yosef reveals himself to his brothers in Egypt. In Perek 45, Passuk 4, he says to them ״ אני יוסף אחיכם אשר מכרתם אתי מצרימה״
But how did Yosef prove to their brothers that he was really Yosef? Wouldn't they be skeptical, considering they sold him into slavery, and now he is the second in command in Egypt? Rashi asks this question, and provides two answers.
Rashi comments on this pasuk that when the brothers backed away in skepticism, yoseph pleadingly called his brothers to come closer. He showed the brothers his circumcision to prove that he really is who he is saying he is. Now the brothers have proof that this man is Yoseph.
ReplyDeleteAfter yosef reveals himself to his brothers in Egypt, they did not believe is was yosef. Therefore, he had to prove himself.Yosef proved to his brothers that he was yosef by calling them over in a gentle language. And then he showed his brothers that he was circumsized. Now they will believe who he is.
ReplyDeleteThe Midrash says that Yosef proved to his brothers that he was a Jew ( and their brother, because how else would a random man in Egypt know about their brother Yosef?!) by showing his brothers his Brit Milah. This action made it pretty clear to them that this man was really their brother Yosef for there were no other Jews in Egypt.
ReplyDeleteIn Pasuk י״ב it says "it is my mouth speaking to you" this is a hint that it was Yosef because he was speaking with 'לשון הקודש״' who else would know this special gentle language.-midrash This can also connect to Yosef always speaking with 'Godly language' Yosef was known for never losing sight of Hashem and speaking a language of Hashem, this could also be how the brothers recognized him-Adena.
ReplyDeleteIn Pasuk Daled, Radak explains the reason as to why the brothers weren't skeptical when finding out this guy Yosef was supposedly their brother. Radak explains the reason this is, is because Yosef showed them that he was circumcised, and didn't need to further the rest explain because it was all very clear to the brothers.
ReplyDeleteSeforno explains that when Yoseph is speaking to his brothers, he mentions that he was the brother who they sold. This allows the brothers to be certain that it is truly Yoseph since nobody else knew that he was sold. The people who brought him as a slave did not know that he was sold by his brothers. Clearly, this opinion is logical because this is a destinct "secret" that only Yoseph would truly know about.
ReplyDeleteThe Radak says when Yosef saw that his brothers were in shock, he told them not to be afraid and to come closer. He showed them he was circumcised in order to prove that he was truly their brother. Additionally, he told them they can recognize his features and be able to identify that it is him because he was speaking to them in Hebrew without an interpreter.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Sforno Yosef was able to prove to his brothers that he really was Yosef by speaking to them without an interpreter. When Yosef was sold him and his family were the only ones who spoke their language. So by speaking in their language without an interpreter he was able to prove that he really was Yosef.
ReplyDeleteRashi says that the brothers backed away from Yosef because they were doubting if it was actually him. That is why Yosef told them to come closer and insures them that he is who he says he is: by showing that he was circumcised. The brothers now know that he is definitely Yosef.
ReplyDeleteLiat Silver
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rashi Yosef called over his brothers to show them that he had a Brit Milah. Though circumcision may be common today, in Biblical times it was an act that was completely associated with being a member of Avraham's family. According to Rashi the brothers must have realized by that sign hes clearly a relative of theirs.