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Genesis 42:35 - Money returned - divine test?

Genesis 42:35 - בראשית 42:35

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי הֵם מְרִיקִים שַׂקֵּיהֶם וְהִנֵּה־אִישׁ צְרוֹר־כַּסְפּוֹ בְּשַׂקּוֹ וַיִּרְאוּ אֶת־צְרֹרוֹת כַּסְפֵּיהֶם הֵמָּה וַאֲבִיהֶם וַיִּירָאוּ׃

English Translation

And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

Transliteration

Vay'hi hem merikim sakeihem vehinei-ish tzror-kaspo besako vayir'u et-tzrorot kaspheihem hema va'avihem vayira'u.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֗י הֵ֚ם מְרִיקִ֣ים שַׂקֵּיהֶ֔ם וְהִנֵּה־אִ֥ישׁ צְרוֹר־כַּסְפּ֖וֹ בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ וַיִּרְא֞וּ אֶת־צְרֹר֧וֹת כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם הֵ֥מָּה וַאֲבִיהֶ֖ם וַיִּירָֽאוּ׃
וַיְהִ֗י הֵ֚ם מְרִיקִ֣ים שַׂקֵּיהֶ֔ם וְהִנֵּה־אִ֥ישׁ צְרוֹר־כַּסְפּ֖וֹ בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ וַיִּרְא֞וּ אֶת־צְרֹר֧וֹת כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם הֵ֥מָּה וַאֲבִיהֶ֖ם וַיִּירָֽאוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 42:35) describes the moment when Yosef's brothers return to their father Yaakov after their first journey to Egypt. Upon emptying their sacks, they discover that the money they had used to purchase grain had been returned to them, causing them and their father great fear. This event is part of the larger narrative of Yosef testing his brothers to see if they had repented for selling him into slavery.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the brothers' fear stemmed from two concerns:

  • They worried that they would be accused of theft, as the returned money might appear as if they had stolen it rather than paid for the grain.
  • They also feared divine retribution, as they saw this unusual event as a punishment for their earlier sin against Yosef (Rashi on Bereshit 42:35).

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:10) elaborates on their fear, stating that Yaakov interpreted this event as a sign of further tragedy. Having already lost Yosef and Shimon (who was detained in Egypt), he feared that this was the beginning of more suffering. The Midrash compares this to the verse in Tehillim (76:9), "The earth feared and was still," suggesting that their fear was a prelude to divine judgment.

Rambam's Perspective

While Rambam does not comment directly on this verse, his principles in Hilchot Teshuva (Laws of Repentance) shed light on the brothers' reaction. Their fear indicates an awareness of their past wrongdoing and a recognition that unusual events may be divine messages calling them to introspection and repentance.

Ibn Ezra's Analysis

Ibn Ezra notes that the phrase "they were afraid" applies both to the brothers and Yaakov, but for different reasons:

  • The brothers feared Egyptian authorities would accuse them of dishonesty.
  • Yaakov feared divine providence was bringing further hardship upon his family.

Chizkuni's Additional Insight

Chizkuni points out that the double language of "their bundles of money" emphasizes that each brother found his exact payment returned, making it clearly intentional rather than accidental. This precision heightened their anxiety about the situation's supernatural nature.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 91a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the fear and surprise of Joseph's brothers when they found their money returned in their sacks, illustrating divine providence and human emotions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were Yosef's brothers afraid when they found their money in their sacks?
A: According to Rashi, the brothers feared that they would be accused of theft when they returned to Egypt. Since they had already been treated harshly by the Egyptian ruler (who was actually Yosef), they worried this was a setup to punish them further.
Q: What is the significance of the money being returned to Yosef's brothers?
A: The Midrash explains that this was part of Yosef's test for his brothers—to see if they would return the money or keep it. It also served as a way to bring them back to Egypt, continuing the process of repentance (teshuvah) for selling Yosef.
Q: How does Yaakov (their father) react when he sees the returned money?
A: The verse states that Yaakov was also afraid. Ramban explains that Yaakov saw this as a sign of further trouble—perhaps divine punishment for past mistakes or a test of faith regarding the future of the family.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this incident with the returned money?
A: The Talmud (Chullin 91a) teaches that this event shows how Hashem orchestrates events to bring about repentance and reconciliation. The brothers' fear led them to reflect on their past actions, paving the way for their eventual teshuvah and reunion with Yosef.
Q: Why did Yosef return the money secretly instead of openly?
A: Rashi explains that Yosef wanted to avoid embarrassing his brothers by openly giving them back their money. This teaches the Jewish value of avoiding shaming others (לא לבייש), even when administering justice or tests.