The Chofetz Chaim explains that Yosef was singled out in this verse as the toldos of Yacov, because more than anyone else, Yosef epitomized the idea that trials and tribulations of exile ultimately lead to positive results. When Yosef was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites, it appeared that no good could result from it. Yosef was separated from his father and entered slavery. To further exacerbate the situation, Yosef is wrongfully accused by Potiphar's wife and is incarcerated. Though at the time it was impossible to fathom anything positive resulting from his predicament, all of these occurrences were a precursor to Yosef's rise to power and the fulfillment of his dreams.

By singling out Yosef as the offspring of Yacov, the Torah is foreshadowing the history of the Jewish nation, as the Ramban zt"l (Vayishlach 32, 44) teaches us that everything which happened to our forefathers is an indication of what will occur to future generations (maaseh avos siman la'bonim). Just as Yacov's immediate offspring, namely Yosef, endured the pains of exile and wandering, so will Yacov's descendants face the suffering of exiles and persecutions by the hands of many nations. However, this legacy is not one of suffering without meaning. It is the message that at the "end of the day" the Jewish people will benefit from the trials and tribulations, which they endure. Then the whole world will reach the realization of the greatness of the one true G-d and the Jewish People.

Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l explains that Hashem protects the righteous and personally delivers their salvation. Therefore, Yosef knew that the entire incident with the sar ha'mashkim and sar ha'ofim (Chamberlain of the Bakers) was produced by Hashem for his benefit. It could not be mere coincidence that two officers of Pharaoh's court would be in jail and both have dreams at the same time that Yosef was there. This was clearly Hashem's hand and Yosef did not need to enlist the "help" of any human to gain his release from prison. Yosef did not need to do any hishtadlus, since he should have realized that he was being taken care of by Hashem. By making any request at all to the sar ha'mashkim, Yosef demonstrated a lack of faith in Hashem's ability to release him from prison.

Rav Moshe further comments that the Mishna in Idiyos (2,10) states that Hashem's maximum punishment in this world (and in Olom Haboh) for the commission of a sin is one year. Based on this, Yosef should have been imprisoned for only one additional year. Therefore, one must understand why was Yosef sentenced by Hashem to remain in prison for two additional years?

Rav Moshe explains that Yosef actually committed two separate transgressions when he requested the sar ha'mashkim to remember him. Firstly, as explained above, Yosef should not have made any request of the sar ha'mashkim, and was, therefore, punished with one additional year of incarceration. Secondly, Rashi states, "Since Yosef depended upon him (sar ha'mashkim) to remember him, he had to remain imprisoned for two (more) years, as it says (in Tehillim 40,5), 'Fortunate is the man who has placed his reliance upon Hashem, and does not turn to arrogant ones.' This means 'and did not rely upon Egypt,' which is called arrogant one" (Vayeishev 40,23). Since Yosef placed his future in the hands of an arrogant person, this action was a desperate move by Yosef to free himself, which demonstrates an even greater lack of faith by Yosef in Hashem. This additional infraction resulted in him being punished with a second year of imprisonment.

TABLE TALK

THE DILEMMA
(What is permitted to do in this situation?)

On the suggestion of a friend, Boruch called another mechanic to get a quote on a starter. The second mechanic gave him a quote of one hundred fifty dollars.

Is it permissible for Boruch to have the second mechanic fix his car, since he already made a verbal agreement with the first mechanic for him to do the work? Should Boruch at least give the first mechanic a chance to match the one hundred fifty dollar quote from the other mechanic?

Even if Boruch has no halachic obligation to the first mechanic, should Boruch still keep his word, since Chazal (Bava Metziah 44a) state that a person who reneges on a verbal agreement to buy or sell something will receive the same "payment" as those who were "paid" during the generation of the flood?

(Consult your Rav for a proper halachic ruling)

Last week's clues and answer: My name was my contents; I am an escort into the palace; I am Biblically designated but Rabbinically ordained; I change with the times - The Shemoneh Esrei

Congratulations to Mr. Mordechai Matitia

TORAH RIDDLE

How is it possible for someone to be obligated to recite only an al hamichya after he had washed, said hamotzi and ate at least a k'zayis?

(Please send us your answer by e-mail to gkrainess@adelphia.net. The answer will appear in next week's issue)

Last week's question and answer: Last week's question and answer: Is it possible for someone to be a half Cohen and half Yisroel ? Yes. A shifcha (non-Jewish woman slave) is owned by two different people and one of the owners frees her. After being freed by one of the owners she becomes pregnant and the father is a Cohen. When the child is born the shifcha is still owned by one of the owners. Upon being freed by this owner, the boy will be a half Cohen from his father and a half Yisroel because when an eved Canaani (non-Jewish slave) is freed, he becomes a Yisroel.

Sorry, no congratulations this week.

THE KOLLEL FAMILY

MAZEL TOV

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Solowitch on the marriage of their daughter, Malka

CONDOLENCES

Mrs. Donny Adler on the passing of her mother

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

*Beachwood………………..Contact Rabbi Katz 360-9153

*The Huntington-Green Apartments

Rabbi Levi's group……….Contact Rabbi Levi 381-1617
Rabbi Nadoff's group…….Contact Rabbi Nadoff 291-2692
Rabbi Newman's group…..Contact Rabbi Newman 381-4497

(Please inform us if you wish to have a happy or solemn occasion or a community or personal event posted on the Community Bulletin Board - Thank you.)

To sponsor an issue of Oneg Shabbos, please contact Leib Chaim Krainess, Director of Kollel Development at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net.
To receive Oneg Shabbos by e-mail, please provide us with your e-mail address by contacting us at (216) 559-0638 or gkrainess@adelphia.net