Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'God be gracious to thee, my son' mean in Genesis 43:29?
A: When Yosef (Joseph) says, 'God be gracious to thee, my son,' he is blessing his younger brother Binyamin (Benjamin). According to Rashi, this shows Yosef's deep emotional connection to Binyamin, as they share the same mother, Rachel. The blessing expresses Yosef's hope that Hashem will show kindness and protection to Binyamin.
Q: Why did Yosef ask, 'Is this your younger brother?' in Genesis 43:29?
A: Yosef already knew Binyamin was his brother, but he asked this question to confirm the brothers' earlier claim (Genesis 42:13) that they had a younger brother at home. The Midrash explains that Yosef was testing their honesty and ensuring they had not harmed Binyamin as they had once harmed him.
Q: Why is Binyamin referred to as 'his mother’s son' in this verse?
A: The Torah specifies 'his mother’s son' because Binyamin and Yosef were the only sons of Rachel, Yaakov’s (Jacob’s) beloved wife. Rashi explains that this highlights their special bond—unlike the other brothers, who were born from Leah or the maidservants. This detail emphasizes Yosef’s emotional reaction upon seeing Binyamin after many years.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef’s reaction to seeing Binyamin?
A: Yosef’s reaction teaches the importance of family bonds and compassion. Despite the suffering caused by his brothers, Yosef still felt love for Binyamin, his full brother. The Rambam teaches that maintaining family unity and showing kindness, even in difficult circumstances, is a fundamental Jewish value.
Q: How does Yosef’s blessing to Binyamin apply to us today?
A: Yosef’s words, 'God be gracious to thee, my son,' remind us to bless others sincerely, especially family members. The Talmud (Berachot 5b) teaches that giving blessings is a way to show love and invoke divine mercy. Today, we can follow this example by speaking kindly and offering heartfelt blessings to those around us.
Yosef's Emotional Encounter with Binyamin
The verse describes Yosef lifting his eyes and seeing Binyamin, his full brother from the same mother, Rachel. Rashi (Bereshit 43:29) explains that Yosef was overcome with compassion upon seeing Binyamin because he was reminded of their shared mother, Rachel, who had passed away. The phrase "בֶּן־אִמּוֹ" ("his mother’s son") emphasizes their unique bond, as they were the only two sons of Rachel.
Yosef's Question and Its Implications
Yosef asks, "הֲזֶה אֲחִיכֶם הַקָּטֹן" ("Is this your younger brother?"). The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 43:29) suggests that Yosef was testing his brothers to see if they harbored resentment toward Binyamin, as they had once resented him. By referring to Binyamin as "your brother" rather than "my brother," Yosef subtly gauged their attitude toward their youngest sibling.
The Blessing: "אֱלֹהִים יָחְנְךָ בְּנִי"
Yosef blesses Binyamin with "God be gracious to thee, my son." The Ramban (Bereshit 43:29) explains that this blessing was prophetic, alluding to the future greatness of Binyamin’s descendants, such as Mordechai and Esther. The term "יָחְנְךָ" ("be gracious") hints at divine favor, which would manifest in Binyamin’s tribe being the only one to remain loyal to the House of David during the split of the kingdoms (see Melachim I 12:21).
Midrashic Insights
Brotherly Reconciliation
The Or HaChaim (Bereshit 43:29) highlights that Yosef’s emotional response and blessing demonstrated his desire for unity among the brothers. By showing special kindness to Binyamin, Yosef began the process of healing the fractures in their family, paving the way for their eventual reconciliation.