share torah logo

Genesis 39:5 - Divine favor through righteousness

Genesis 39:5 - בראשית 39:5

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי מֵאָז הִפְקִיד אֹתוֹ בְּבֵיתוֹ וְעַל כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יֶשׁ־לוֹ וַיְבָרֶךְ יְהוָה אֶת־בֵּית הַמִּצְרִי בִּגְלַל יוֹסֵף וַיְהִי בִּרְכַּת יְהוָה בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר יֶשׁ־לוֹ בַּבַּיִת וּבַשָּׂדֶה׃

English Translation

And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Miżrian’s house for Yosef’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Transliteration

Vayehi me'az hifkid oto beveito ve'al kol-asher yesh-lo vayvarekh Adonai et-beit hamitzri biglal Yosef vayehi birkat Adonai bechol-asher yesh-lo babayit uvassadeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֡י מֵאָז֩ הִפְקִ֨יד אֹת֜וֹ בְּבֵית֗וֹ וְעַל֙ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ל֔וֹ וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הַמִּצְרִ֖י בִּגְלַ֣ל יוֹסֵ֑ף וַיְהִ֞י בִּרְכַּ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ בְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ל֔וֹ בַּבַּ֖יִת וּבַשָּׂדֶֽה׃
וַיְהִ֡י מֵאָז֩ הִפְקִ֨יד אֹת֜וֹ בְּבֵית֗וֹ וְעַל֙ כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ל֔וֹ וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית הַמִּצְרִ֖י בִּגְלַ֣ל יוֹסֵ֑ף וַיְהִ֞י בִּרְכַּ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ בְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶשׁ־ל֔וֹ בַּבַּ֖יִת וּבַשָּׂדֶֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Divine Blessing Through Yosef's Presence

The verse (Bereishit 39:5) describes how Hashem blessed Potiphar's household "בִּגְלַל יוֹסֵף" ("for Yosef's sake"). Rashi explains that this demonstrates the principle that "צדיק גוזר והקב"ה מקיים" ("a righteous person decrees and the Holy One, blessed be He, fulfills it"). Yosef's righteousness and integrity in managing Potiphar's affairs merited divine blessing upon everything under his stewardship.

The Extent of the Blessing

The Torah emphasizes that the blessing extended to "כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יֶשׁ־לוֹ בַּבַּיִת וּבַשָּׂדֶה" ("all that he had in the house and in the field"). The Ramban notes that this comprehensive blessing reflects the Talmudic principle (Taanit 9a) that "משמים מברכים את השותף עם הצדיק" ("Heaven blesses the partner of a righteous person"). Potiphar's willingness to entrust Yosef with his entire estate made him a beneficiary of this divine favor.

The Mechanism of the Blessing

  • Midrashic Perspective: Bereishit Rabbah (86:5) states that Potiphar's bread bins were miraculously filled without being replenished, demonstrating that the blessing came through supernatural means.
  • Halachic Insight: The Rambam (Hilchot Sechirut 13:7) derives from this episode that an employer benefits from hiring righteous workers, as their presence brings divine blessing to the business.
  • Kabbalistic View: The Zohar (1:190b) explains that Yosef's ability to resist temptation (in the subsequent verses) created a channel for shefa (divine abundance) to flow into Potiphar's household.

The Term "הַמִּצְרִי" (The Egyptian)

Commentators note that Potiphar is consistently called "הַמִּצְרִי" rather than by name. The Kli Yakar suggests this emphasizes that despite being an Egyptian (traditionally associated with impurity), even he recognized Yosef's righteousness and was therefore worthy of blessing. This teaches that divine providence operates even through unlikely channels when a tzaddik is involved.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem bless Potiphar's house because of Yosef?
A: The verse teaches that Hashem blessed Potiphar's household because of Yosef's righteousness and integrity. Rashi explains that this demonstrates how the presence of a righteous person brings blessing to those around them (Rashi on Genesis 39:5).
Q: What does this verse teach us about how we should act in our workplace?
A: This verse shows that when we act with honesty and dedication in our work (like Yosef did in Potiphar's house), we can become a source of blessing for others. The Rambam teaches that one should conduct business affairs with complete integrity (Hilchot De'ot 5:13).
Q: How was the blessing of Hashem visible in Potiphar's house?
A: The Torah specifies that the blessing was evident both 'in the house and in the field,' meaning it affected all aspects of Potiphar's possessions. The Midrash explains that even the bread in his house was blessed - if others needed 10 loaves, Potiphar's household was satisfied with one (Bereshit Rabbah 86:5).
Q: Why does the Torah mention this blessing in Yosef's story?
A: This detail shows that even when Yosef was in difficult circumstances (as a slave in Egypt), his righteous behavior had a positive impact. The Talmud derives from here that a righteous person's merit can protect and benefit others (Sotah 36b).
Q: What can we learn from Yosef being put in charge of Potiphar's house?
A: We learn that when a person acts with wisdom and responsibility (as Yosef did), they can earn trust and positions of responsibility even in challenging situations. The verse shows this progression - first Yosef was put over the house, then over everything, and then blessings followed.