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Hebrew Text
וַיֶּאֱסֹף אֹתָם אֶל־מִשְׁמָר שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים׃
English Translation
And he put them all together into custody for three days.
Transliteration
Vaye'esof otam el-mishmar shloshet yamim.
Hebrew Leining Text
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף אֹתָ֛ם אֶל־מִשְׁמָ֖ר שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים׃
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Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.
Context of the Verse
The verse "וַיֶּאֱסֹף אֹתָם אֶל־מִשְׁמָר שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים" (And he put them all together into custody for three days) appears in Bereishit 42:17, describing Yosef's actions toward his brothers when they came to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. Yosef, unrecognized by his brothers, accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Bereishit 42:17) explains that Yosef's decision to imprison his brothers for three days was a calculated measure to induce teshuvah (repentance). The three days allowed them time to reflect on their past actions—particularly their sale of Yosef—and recognize their wrongdoing. Rashi also notes that Yosef did not want to cause undue suffering, as three days was sufficient for introspection without excessive hardship.
Midrashic Insights
The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 91:8) elaborates that the three days correspond to the three stages of repentance:
This mirrors the process of teshuvah taught in Jewish tradition, emphasizing Yosef's intention to guide his brothers toward spiritual growth.
Rambam's Perspective
Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:2) discusses how suffering can serve as a wake-up call for repentance. Yosef's temporary imprisonment of his brothers aligns with this principle, as their distress prompted them to acknowledge their guilt (Bereishit 42:21-22). The three-day period was thus a measure of divine justice, allowing them to confront their past and prepare for reconciliation.
Symbolism of Three Days
The number three holds significance in Jewish thought, often representing completion or transformation (e.g., the three days before the giving of the Torah at Har Sinai). Here, it symbolizes the brothers' transition from denial to accountability, paving the way for their eventual reunion with Yosef and the fulfillment of divine providence.