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Genesis 39:12 - Resisting temptation, fleeing immorality

Genesis 39:12 - בראשית 39:12

Hebrew Text

וַתִּתְפְּשֵׂהוּ בְּבִגְדוֹ לֵאמֹר שִׁכְבָה עִמִּי וַיַּעֲזֹב בִּגְדוֹ בְּיָדָהּ וַיָּנָס וַיֵּצֵא הַחוּצָה׃

English Translation

And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and went outside.

Transliteration

Vatitpsehu bvigdo lemor shichva imi vayaazov bigdo byadah vayanas vayetze hachutza.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּתְפְּשֵׂ֧הוּ בְּבִגְד֛וֹ לֵאמֹ֖ר שִׁכְבָ֣ה עִמִּ֑י וַיַּעֲזֹ֤ב בִּגְדוֹ֙ בְּיָדָ֔הּ וַיָּ֖נׇס וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֽוּצָה׃
וַתִּתְפְּשֵׂ֧הוּ בְּבִגְד֛וֹ לֵאמֹ֖ר שִׁכְבָ֣ה עִמִּ֑י וַיַּעֲזֹ֤ב בִּגְדוֹ֙ בְּיָדָ֔הּ וַיָּ֖נׇס וַיֵּצֵ֥א הַחֽוּצָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Verse Analysis: Yosef's Righteousness in the Face of Temptation

The verse (Bereshit 39:12) describes Yosef's escape from the advances of Potiphar's wife, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to righteousness. Rashi explains that Yosef's decision to flee—even at the cost of leaving his garment—was an act of extreme piety, as he prioritized his moral integrity over his physical possessions or social standing.

Key Insights from Traditional Sources

  • Rashi (Bereshit 39:12): Notes that Yosef's flight was immediate ("וַיָּנָס")—he did not hesitate or rationalize, fulfilling the principle (Sotah 9b) that one must distance themselves from sin without delay.
  • Rambam (Hilchot Issurei Biah 22:18): Cites this episode as a model for avoiding situations that could lead to sin, emphasizing that even a tzaddik like Yosef needed to flee physically to overcome temptation.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeishev 8): Suggests that Yosef's garment symbolized his physical desires, which he "left behind" to escape spiritually intact.

The Significance of Yosef's Garment

The Talmud (Sotah 36b) discusses how Yosef's abandonment of his garment paralleled his earlier loss of the ketonet passim (ornamented tunic) when his brothers sold him—a thematic connection showing his growth from a favored son to a morally steadfast servant of Hashem. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:8) adds that this act mirrored Avraham's readiness to sacrifice even his son Yitzchak at the Akeidah, highlighting Yosef's mesirut nefesh (self-sacrifice) for kedushah (holiness).

Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 21:1) derives from this episode that one must avoid seclusion with prohibited relationships (yichud), as Yosef's initial presence in the house with Potiphar's wife led to the test. The Rema adds that Yosef's flight teaches that when faced with temptation, physical removal is the only guaranteed solution.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 36b
The verse is discussed in the context of Joseph's righteousness and his resistance to Potiphar's wife's advances, highlighting his moral virtue.
📖 Yoma 35b
The verse is referenced to emphasize Joseph's self-control and his commitment to righteousness, even in the face of temptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 39:12 teach us about resisting temptation?
A: Genesis 39:12 teaches the importance of fleeing from temptation, as Yosef (Joseph) did when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Hilchot Issurei Biah that one must distance themselves from situations that could lead to sin, just as Yosef demonstrated by running away.
Q: Why did Yosef leave his garment behind when he fled?
A: Rashi explains that Yosef was willing to leave his garment behind because preserving his spiritual integrity was more important than material possessions. This act symbolizes prioritizing righteousness over physical comforts or social status.
Q: How does Yosef's action in Genesis 39:12 apply to our lives today?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 36b) learns from this verse that when faced with temptation, one should be ready to sacrifice even something valuable (like Yosef's garment) to avoid sin. Today, this teaches us to remove ourselves from compromising situations, even at personal cost.
Q: What is the significance of Yosef fleeing 'outside' in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 87:7) notes that Yosef fled to the 'outside' - meaning he removed himself completely from the sinful environment. This teaches that sometimes complete physical separation is necessary to maintain moral boundaries.
Q: Why is Yosef's resistance to temptation in this verse considered so important in Judaism?
A: As the Ramban (Nachmanides) explains, Yosef's action established an eternal model of moral strength. Despite being alone in Egypt and facing potential consequences, he chose to follow Hashem's will. This demonstrates that maintaining purity is possible in all circumstances.