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Genesis 42:9 - Dreams reveal hidden truth?

Genesis 42:9 - בראשית 42:9

Hebrew Text

וַיִּזְכֹּר יוֹסֵף אֵת הַחֲלֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר חָלַם לָהֶם וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵהֶם מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם לִרְאוֹת אֶת־עֶרְוַת הָאָרֶץ בָּאתֶם׃

English Translation

And Yosef remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, You are spies; to see the nakedness of the land are you come.

Transliteration

Vayizkor Yosef et hachalomot asher chalam lahem vayomer alehem meraglim atem lir'ot et ervat ha'aretz batem.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר יוֹסֵ֔ף אֵ֚ת הַחֲלֹמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָלַ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מְרַגְּלִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם לִרְא֛וֹת אֶת־עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶֽם׃
וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר יוֹסֵ֔ף אֵ֚ת הַחֲלֹמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָלַ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מְרַגְּלִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם לִרְא֛וֹת אֶת־עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Yosef's Remembrance of the Dreams

Rashi (Bereshit 42:9) explains that when Yosef saw his brothers bowing before him, he recalled the dreams he had in his youth (Bereshit 37:5-11), in which they bowed down to him. This confirmed the divine nature of those dreams and prompted him to act in a way that would ultimately fulfill them. The Ramban (Bereshit 42:9) adds that Yosef's accusation of espionage was a strategic move to test whether his brothers had repented for their earlier mistreatment of him.

The Meaning of "To See the Nakedness of the Land"

The phrase "עֶרְוַת הָאָרֶץ" ("nakedness of the land") is interpreted in several ways:

  • Rashi (Bereshit 42:9): It refers to the land's vulnerabilities—its weak points or undefended areas—which spies would seek to exploit.
  • Sforno (Bereshit 42:9): Yosef accused them of scouting for weaknesses during a famine, when the land was most exposed to invasion.
  • Kli Yakar (Bereshit 42:9): The term "nakedness" alludes to their earlier sin of stripping Yosef of his coat (Bereshit 37:23), suggesting a measure-for-measure test.

Yosef's Hidden Intentions

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:6) teaches that Yosef's harsh treatment of his brothers was not out of vengeance but to bring them to teshuvah (repentance). By placing them in a situation mirroring their earlier betrayal—separating Binyamin from the family—he sought to see if they would act differently this time. The Or HaChaim (Bereshit 42:9) emphasizes that Yosef's actions were guided by divine providence to fulfill the dreams and reunite the family under righteous terms.

Halachic Implications of False Accusations

The Talmud (Chullin 89a) derives from this episode that one should avoid making false accusations, even for a constructive purpose. However, Yosef's unique role in fulfilling prophecy justified his approach. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Bereshit 42:9) explains that Yosef’s words contained deeper truth—his brothers were, in a spiritual sense, "spying" on Egypt’s moral state, as they later acknowledged (Bereshit 42:21-22).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about dreams and their interpretations, illustrating how Joseph's remembrance of his dreams led to his accusation against his brothers.
📖 Ta'anit 9b
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about divine providence and how past events (like Joseph's dreams) influence present actions and judgments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yosef accuse his brothers of being spies?
A: According to Rashi, Yosef remembered the dreams he had as a youth (where his brothers bowed to him) and realized this was the beginning of their fulfillment. By accusing them of being spies, he created a situation where they would need to return with Binyamin, leading to the fulfillment of his dreams.
Q: What does 'the nakedness of the land' mean in this verse?
A: The term 'nakedness of the land' refers to the vulnerable or weak points of the country. Ramban explains that Yosef was accusing them of coming to scout out Egypt's weaknesses, possibly for military purposes or to find times when the land might be undefended.
Q: How does this verse show Yosef's wisdom?
A: The Midrash teaches that Yosef showed great wisdom by not revealing himself immediately. His careful strategy tested whether his brothers had repented for selling him into slavery and ensured they would bring Binyamin down to Egypt, thus fulfilling Hashem's plan for the Jewish people's descent to Egypt.
Q: Why is it significant that Yosef remembered his dreams at this moment?
A: The Talmud (Berachos 55b) teaches that dreams contain elements of prophecy. Yosef realized his childhood dreams of leadership were coming true when his brothers bowed before him. This moment marked the beginning of the fulfillment of Divine providence in bringing Yaakov's family to Egypt.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef's behavior towards his brothers?
A: The Sforno teaches that Yosef's actions demonstrate proper conduct when in a position of power. Though he could have taken revenge, he instead orchestrated events to bring his family together and test their repentance, showing the importance of using power wisely and for constructive purposes.