Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Joseph's brothers go to Shekhem to graze their father's flock?
A: According to Rashi, the brothers went to Shekhem because it had good pastureland for grazing. However, the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 84:13) suggests there may have been deeper reasons, as Shekhem was where they had previously sinned (referring to the incident with Dinah), and they may have been doing teshuvah (repentance) by returning there.
Q: What is the significance of the brothers grazing their father's flock in this verse?
A: The Torah emphasizes that they were grazing 'their father’s flock' to show their responsibility toward their family duties. Ramban explains that this detail sets the stage for the upcoming events, as their distance from home allows Jacob to send Joseph to check on them, leading to Joseph being sold into slavery.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the location 'Shekhem' specifically?
A: Shekhem is mentioned because it was a significant place in the family's history. Rashi notes that it was a place of past challenges (like the Dinah incident in Genesis 34), hinting that this journey would also lead to difficulties—specifically, the conflict between Joseph and his brothers.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the brothers going to Shekhem?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 102a) teaches that actions have consequences, and past events can influence future ones. By returning to Shekhem—a place of prior family strife—the brothers set in motion the events leading to Joseph’s sale. This teaches us to be mindful of our decisions and their potential outcomes.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of Joseph and his brothers?
A: This verse introduces the brothers' journey away from home, which creates the opportunity for Jacob to send Joseph after them (Genesis 37:13-14). According to the Midrash (Tanchuma Vayeshev 2), this was part of Divine Providence guiding events toward the eventual descent to Egypt and the fulfillment of Hashem’s plan for the Jewish people.
Context in the Narrative
The verse appears in Bereishit (Genesis) 37:12, describing the actions of Yosef's brothers before his eventual sale into slavery. Shekhem holds historical significance as the location of the tragic incident involving Dinah (Bereishit 34), making their return there noteworthy.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) explains that the brothers deliberately distanced themselves from their father Yaakov's household due to their animosity toward Yosef. By grazing the flocks in Shekhem—far from home—they sought to avoid Yosef, who might be sent to check on them. This reflects their ongoing tension after Yosef shared his dreams of dominance (Bereishit 37:5-11).
Midrashic Insights
Rambam's Perspective
While Rambam (Maimonides) does not comment directly on this verse, his principles of hashgacha pratit (divine providence) in Moreh Nevuchim (3:17) align with the idea that human actions—even those driven by strife—unknowingly fulfill a larger divine plan, as seen here.
Ethical Lessons
The Or HaChaim (Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar) highlights the brothers' failure to rectify their earlier misdeeds in Shekhem. Their return without repentance allowed old conflicts to resurface, teaching the importance of addressing past wrongs to prevent further discord.