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Genesis 37:4 - Jealousy divides brothers

Genesis 37:4 - בראשית 37:4

Hebrew Text

וַיִּרְאוּ אֶחָיו כִּי־אֹתוֹ אָהַב אֲבִיהֶם מִכָּל־אֶחָיו וַיִּשְׂנְאוּ אֹתוֹ וְלֹא יָכְלוּ דַּבְּרוֹ לְשָׁלֹם׃

English Translation

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

Transliteration

Vayir'u echav ki-oto ahav avihem mikol-echav vayisn'u oto velo yachlu dabro leshalom.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּרְא֣וּ אֶחָ֗יו כִּֽי־אֹת֞וֹ אָהַ֤ב אֲבִיהֶם֙ מִכׇּל־אֶחָ֔יו וַֽיִּשְׂנְא֖וּ אֹת֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ דַּבְּר֥וֹ לְשָׁלֹֽם׃
וַיִּרְא֣וּ אֶחָ֗יו כִּֽי־אֹת֞וֹ אָהַ֤ב אֲבִיהֶם֙ מִכׇּל־אֶחָ֔יו וַֽיִּשְׂנְא֖וּ אֹת֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יָכְל֖וּ דַּבְּר֥וֹ לְשָׁלֹֽם׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding the Verse in Context

The verse (Bereshit 37:4) describes the jealousy and hatred of Yosef's brothers toward him due to Yaakov's favoritism. This sets the stage for the subsequent events in the parsha, including Yosef's dreams and his eventual sale into slavery. The Torah emphasizes the severity of their hatred by stating they "could not speak peaceably to him," indicating a complete breakdown in familial harmony.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the brothers' hatred stemmed from Yaakov's overt display of love for Yosef, symbolized by the ketonet passim (the special tunic). This favoritism was perceived as a slight against the other brothers, igniting their resentment. Rashi also notes that the phrase "could not speak peaceably" implies they avoided even superficial pleasantries, reflecting deep-seated animosity.

Rambam's Perspective on Sinat Chinam (Baseless Hatred)

Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 6:6) discusses the destructive nature of hatred, particularly sinat chinam, which is often rooted in jealousy or perceived injustice. The brothers' inability to speak peacefully to Yosef exemplifies this, as their hatred clouded their judgment and led to severe consequences. Rambam teaches that such emotions must be actively countered through introspection and ethical refinement.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 84:9) elaborates that the brothers' hatred was compounded by Yosef's reports of their actions to Yaakov, which they viewed as lashon hara (evil speech). This further strained their relationship.
  • Another Midrash (Tanchuma Vayeshev 4) suggests that the brothers misinterpreted Yaakov's love for Yosef as a sign that he intended to designate Yosef as the primary heir, bypassing the natural order of the firstborn.

Lessons from the Talmud

The Talmud (Shabbat 10b) derives from this episode that a parent should not show favoritism among children, as it leads to strife. The Gemara cites Yaakov's partiality as the root cause of the brothers' jealousy, ultimately leading to the exile in Egypt. This serves as a timeless lesson about the importance of fairness in familial relationships.

Kli Yakar's Psychological Analysis

The Kli Yakar highlights the phrase "could not speak peaceably" as indicative of the brothers' internal struggle. Their hatred was so overwhelming that it physically prevented them from engaging in civil discourse. This underscores the corrosive power of unchecked negative emotions and the need for reconciliation before they escalate.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about divine favor and human jealousy, illustrating how favoritism can lead to strife among siblings.
📖 Shabbat 10b
Cited in a discussion about the consequences of parental favoritism and its impact on family harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Joseph's brothers hate him?
A: Joseph's brothers hated him because their father, Jacob, showed him special love by giving him a special coat (ketonet passim), and because Joseph shared dreams that implied he would rule over them (Genesis 37:3-5). Rashi explains that their hatred grew when they saw Jacob's clear favoritism toward Joseph.
Q: What does 'could not speak peaceably to him' mean?
A: The phrase means Joseph's brothers were so filled with resentment that they couldn't even have a normal, friendly conversation with him. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 84:9) teaches that this hatred was so strong it prevented any peaceful dialogue, showing how destructive jealousy can be.
Q: Why is this story important in the Torah?
A: This story sets the stage for the eventual descent of the Jewish people into Egypt, leading to the Exodus. The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that these events were part of Hashem's plan to fulfill the prophecy given to Abraham (Genesis 15:13) about his descendants being strangers in a foreign land.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Joseph's brothers' jealousy?
A: The Talmud (Shabbat 10b) teaches that showing favoritism among children can lead to strife, as seen here. This teaches parents to treat their children equally to avoid creating jealousy. Additionally, the brothers' hatred warns against letting negative emotions control our actions, as it led to terrible consequences.
Q: How does this apply to relationships today?
A: This verse reminds us to avoid jealousy and work on peaceful communication, even when we feel wronged. The Mishnah (Avot 1:12) teaches that we should 'love peace and pursue peace,' unlike Joseph's brothers who couldn't speak peacefully. It also warns against favoritism in families or communities, which can create division.