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Genesis 37:25 - Brothers feast as Yosef suffers

Genesis 37:25 - בראשית 37:25

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּשְׁבוּ לֶאֱכָל־לֶחֶם וַיִּשְׂאוּ עֵינֵיהֶם וַיִּרְאוּ וְהִנֵּה אֹרְחַת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִים בָּאָה מִגִּלְעָד וּגְמַלֵּיהֶם נֹשְׂאִים נְכֹאת וּצְרִי וָלֹט הוֹלְכִים לְהוֹרִיד מִצְרָיְמָה׃

English Translation

And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Yishme᾽elim came from Gil῾ad with their camels bearing gum balm and ladanum, going to carry it down to Miżrayim.

Transliteration

Vayeshevu le'echol-lechem vayisu eineihem vayir'u vehine orchat Yishma'elim ba'ah miGil'ad ugmaleihem nos'im nechot utzri valot holchim lehorid Mitzraymah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּשְׁבוּ֮ לֶֽאֱכׇל־לֶ֒חֶם֒ וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙ וַיִּרְא֔וּ וְהִנֵּה֙ אֹרְחַ֣ת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים בָּאָ֖ה מִגִּלְעָ֑ד וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣ם נֹֽשְׂאִ֗ים נְכֹאת֙ וּצְרִ֣י וָלֹ֔ט הוֹלְכִ֖ים לְהוֹרִ֥יד מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃
וַיֵּשְׁבוּ֮ לֶֽאֱכׇל־לֶ֒חֶם֒ וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙ וַיִּרְא֔וּ וְהִנֵּה֙ אֹרְחַ֣ת יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֔ים בָּאָ֖ה מִגִּלְעָ֑ד וּגְמַלֵּיהֶ֣ם נֹֽשְׂאִ֗ים נְכֹאת֙ וּצְרִ֣י וָלֹ֔ט הוֹלְכִ֖ים לְהוֹרִ֥יד מִצְרָֽיְמָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah Narrative

This verse (Bereshit 37:25) appears in the story of Yosef's brothers selling him into slavery. After casting him into a pit, they sit down to eat, displaying a troubling indifference to Yosef's suffering. The sudden appearance of the Yishmaelim caravan provides the means for Yosef's descent to Mitzrayim, setting the stage for the future exile and redemption.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the brothers were eating bread while Yosef was in the pit, highlighting their callousness. Regarding the merchandise, Rashi notes that the Torah specifies "gum balm and ladanum" to show Divine Providence - these were fragrant spices typically carried by royalty, hinting that Yosef's eventual rise to power in Egypt was already being set in motion.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma emphasizes the brothers' misplaced priorities - engaging in a meal while neglecting their brother's plight.
  • Bereshit Rabbah notes the irony that the caravan was carrying pleasant fragrances while participating in the bitter sale of Yosef.
  • Some Midrashim identify these traders as both Yishmaelim and Midyanim, suggesting multiple groups were involved in Yosef's transfer to Egypt.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim, Rambam might view this as an example of how Divine Providence works through natural events - what appears as a chance encounter with traders is actually part of Hashem's plan to bring Yaakov's family to Egypt to fulfill the prophecy given to Avraham.

Moral Lessons

  • The danger of allowing personal conflicts to override family bonds and compassion
  • The importance of being sensitive to others' suffering, especially when we have caused it
  • Recognizing that even difficult events can be part of a larger Divine plan

Halachic Connection

The Talmud (Shabbat 10b) derives from this episode that it's improper to eat a meal when others are suffering nearby, establishing an ethical principle about sensitivity to others' distress.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were the Yishmaelim carrying spices like gum balm and ladanum?
A: According to Rashi, the Yishmaelim were merchants transporting valuable spices from Gilead to Egypt. These spices (נְכֹאת וּצְרִי) were aromatic resins used for incense, perfumes, and medicine, making them highly prized trade goods in ancient times. The Torah mentions this detail to show how Yosef was sold to merchants who dealt in luxury items.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that the brothers were eating bread when they saw the Yishmaelim?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 84:16) notes that while the brothers were casually eating bread—showing indifference to Yosef's suffering—Divine Providence arranged for the Yishmaelim to pass by at that moment. This teaches that even mundane actions (like eating) can be part of a larger plan, as this led to Yosef’s descent to Egypt, fulfilling Hashem’s plan for the Jewish people.
Q: What is the significance of the Yishmaelim coming from Gilead?
A: Gilead was known for its high-quality spices (Targum Yonatan). Ramban explains that mentioning their origin emphasizes the contrast: the brothers were shepherds (a humble occupation), while the Yishmaelim were wealthy traders. This highlights the irony that Yosef, the dreamer of greatness, was sold to merchants—a step toward his eventual rise to power in Egypt.