Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ אֶחָיו הֲמָלֹךְ תִּמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ אִם־מָשׁוֹל תִּמְשֹׁל בָּנוּ וַיּוֹסִפוּ עוֹד שְׂנֹא אֹתוֹ עַל־חֲלֹמֹתָיו וְעַל־דְּבָרָיו׃
English Translation
And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Transliteration
Vayomru lo echav hamaloch timloch aleinu im-mashol timshol banu vayosifu od s'no oto al-chalomotav v'al-dvarav.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ אֶחָ֔יו הֲמָלֹ֤ךְ תִּמְלֹךְ֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ אִם־מָשׁ֥וֹל תִּמְשֹׁ֖ל בָּ֑נוּ וַיּוֹסִ֤פוּ עוֹד֙ שְׂנֹ֣א אֹת֔וֹ עַל־חֲלֹמֹתָ֖יו וְעַל־דְּבָרָֽיו׃
🎵 Listen to leining
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Berakhot 55a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about dreams and their interpretations, illustrating how Joseph's dreams caused his brothers to hate him more.
📖 Sanhedrin 102a
The verse is cited in a broader discussion about the dynamics between Joseph and his brothers, particularly focusing on the implications of his dreams and their reactions.
The Brothers' Reaction to Yosef's Dreams
The verse (Bereishit 37:8) describes the brothers' hostile reaction to Yosef's dreams, which hinted at his future leadership over them. Rashi explains that their hatred intensified not only because of the dreams themselves but also because of "d'varav"—his words. This refers to Yosef sharing the dreams with them despite knowing they would provoke jealousy. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 84:12) adds that Yosef's insistence on recounting his dreams demonstrated a lack of sensitivity toward his brothers' feelings.
Questioning Yosef's Authority
The brothers' rhetorical questions—"Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?"—reflect their disbelief and resentment. The Ramban notes that their reaction stemmed from their perception that Yosef, as the younger son of Rachel, had no rightful claim to leadership over the older brothers, particularly Yehudah, who was destined for kingship (as later seen in the Davidic dynasty). The repetition of "timloch" (reign) and "timshol" (have dominion) emphasizes their indignation at the idea of his supremacy.
Intensified Hatred
The phrase "vayosifu od s'no oto" (they hated him even more) indicates that their hatred was cumulative. The Sforno explains that their initial dislike of Yosef (due to Yaakov's favoritism) was compounded by his dreams, which they interpreted as arrogance. The Talmud (Shabbat 10b) teaches that dreams hold significance, and the brothers may have feared that Yosef's visions were prophetic, further fueling their animosity.
Lessons in Speech and Sensitivity
This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of careless speech. The Kli Yakar highlights that Yosef's mistake was not in having dreams but in sharing them without considering how they would affect his brothers. The Or HaChaim adds that even if a person receives divine insight, they must exercise wisdom in how and when to reveal it to others.