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Genesis 43:32 - Egyptians shun Hebrew dining?

Genesis 43:32 - בראשית 43:32

Hebrew Text

וַיָּשִׂימוּ לוֹ לְבַדּוֹ וְלָהֶם לְבַדָּם וְלַמִּצְרִים הָאֹכְלִים אִתּוֹ לְבַדָּם כִּי לֹא יוּכְלוּן הַמִּצְרִים לֶאֱכֹל אֶת־הָעִבְרִים לֶחֶם כִּי־תוֹעֵבָה הִוא לְמִצְרָיִם׃

English Translation

And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Miżrim who did eat with them, by themselves: because the Miżrim might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination to the Miżrim.

Transliteration

Vayasimu lo levado velahem levadam velamitzrim ha'ochlim ito levadam ki lo yuchlun hamitzrim le'echol et-ha'ivrim lechem ki-to'eva hi lemitzrayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ ל֛וֹ לְבַדּ֖וֹ וְלָהֶ֣ם לְבַדָּ֑ם וְלַמִּצְרִ֞ים הָאֹכְלִ֤ים אִתּוֹ֙ לְבַדָּ֔ם כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוּכְל֜וּן הַמִּצְרִ֗ים לֶאֱכֹ֤ל אֶת־הָֽעִבְרִים֙ לֶ֔חֶם כִּי־תוֹעֵבָ֥ה הִ֖וא לְמִצְרָֽיִם׃
וַיָּשִׂ֥ימוּ ל֛וֹ לְבַדּ֖וֹ וְלָהֶ֣ם לְבַדָּ֑ם וְלַמִּצְרִ֞ים הָאֹכְלִ֤ים אִתּוֹ֙ לְבַדָּ֔ם כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוּכְל֜וּן הַמִּצְרִ֗ים לֶאֱכֹ֤ל אֶת־הָֽעִבְרִים֙ לֶ֔חֶם כִּי־תוֹעֵבָ֥ה הִ֖וא לְמִצְרָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 43:32) describes the scene where Yosef, now viceroy of Mitzrayim, hosts his brothers for a meal. The Torah emphasizes the separation in seating arrangements: Yosef ate alone, the brothers ate separately, and the Mitzrim (Egyptians) who dined with them also ate separately. The reason given is that the Mitzrim could not eat bread with the Hebrews, as it was considered an abomination to them.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) comments that the Mitzrim found it repulsive to eat with the Hebrews because the Hebrews ate animals that the Mitzrim worshipped as deities. The Mitzrim revered sheep (as seen later during the Exodus, when they protested Bnei Yisrael taking their flocks). Since the Hebrews shepherded and consumed these animals, the Mitzrim considered sharing a meal with them to be a to'eivah (abomination).

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Maimonides) in Moreh Nevuchim (3:46) explains that this separation reflects the Mitzrim's idolatrous practices. Their aversion to eating with the Hebrews stemmed from their religious beliefs, which prohibited associating with those who did not share their worship of certain animals. This cultural and religious divide was deeply ingrained in Egyptian society.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Rabbah (Bereshit 91:5) elaborates that the Mitzrim despised shepherds, as Yosef had earlier told his brothers to emphasize their occupation as shepherds to Pharaoh (Bereshit 46:34). This profession was abhorrent to the Mitzrim, further explaining their refusal to eat with the Hebrews.
  • Another Midrashic interpretation suggests that the separation at the meal was orchestrated by Yosef to test his brothers' unity. By isolating Binyamin (as hinted in the next verse), he could observe whether they would defend him as they had once failed to do for him.

Halachic and Ethical Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 116) connects this episode to the broader Torah prohibition against adopting the practices of idolaters. The Mitzrim's customs were rooted in avodah zarah (idolatry), and the Torah later commands Bnei Yisrael to distance themselves from such behaviors. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining Jewish distinctiveness, even in mundane activities like eating.

Symbolism of Separation

The Kli Yakar (Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) notes that this separation foreshadows the eventual enslavement of Bnei Yisrael in Mitzrayim. The Mitzrim's disdain for the Hebrews laid the groundwork for their later oppression, demonstrating how hatred rooted in cultural differences can escalate into persecution.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why couldn't the Egyptians eat bread with the Hebrews?
A: According to Rashi, the Egyptians considered shepherding (the occupation of the Hebrews) to be an abomination, and therefore refused to eat with them. The Midrash also explains that the Egyptians had a cultural aversion to eating with foreigners, especially those they looked down upon.
Q: What is the significance of Joseph eating separately from his brothers in this verse?
A: Joseph ate separately because, as the viceroy of Egypt, he had to maintain Egyptian customs. However, he also ensured his brothers ate separately from the Egyptians to protect them from discomfort or insult, showing his care for them despite their past actions (based on Ramban's commentary).
Q: Why did the Torah mention this detail about the Egyptians and Hebrews not eating together?
A: This detail highlights the cultural divide between the Hebrews and Egyptians, foreshadowing later conflicts. It also shows how the Hebrews maintained their distinct identity in Egypt, which was important for their future redemption (as discussed in the Talmud and Midrash).
Q: What lesson can we learn from the separate seating arrangements in this verse?
A: This teaches the importance of maintaining Jewish identity and customs even in a foreign land. The separation also shows that unity among Jews (Joseph and his brothers) is possible despite external pressures (as derived from teachings of the Sages).
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish dietary practices today?
A: Just as the Hebrews maintained separation from Egyptian dining customs, Jews today maintain kosher dietary laws to preserve spiritual distinctness. The verse reminds us that food can be a boundary marker for holiness (based on Rambam's teachings about kashrut).