No community start suggestion yet.
Why was Yosef sold multiple times between Ishmaelites, Midianites, and Midyanites? The shiur explains that the Ishmaelites bought Yosef for themselves as a capable manager, while the Midyanites took him on consignment and devised a devastating sales strategy—selling him into arayos to Potiphar. This wasn't just commerce; it was spiritual warfare aimed at destroying Yosef's self-respect and disqualifying him from malchus, the very nisayon that later echoes in the Midianite strategy with Kozbi and Zimri.
This shiur presents a comprehensive analysis of the mechanics and deeper meaning behind the sale of Yosef, following Rashi (רש"י)'s approach exclusively and extracting profound implications about kingship, self-worth, and spiritual warfare. Rabbi Zweig begins by addressing the textual difficulties in the narrative of Mechiras Yosef. The Torah (תורה) states that the brothers planned to sell Yosef to the Ishmaelites, then mentions Midianite merchants passing by, and later refers to both Midyanites and Midyanites selling him. Most Rishonim struggle with these contradictions, but Rashi maintains a consistent narrative: the brothers sold Yosef to the Ishmaelites, who then sold him to the Midyanites, who sold him to the Midyanites, who finally sold him in Egypt. The challenge is reconciling this with pesukim that state Potiphar bought him "miyad haYishmaelim" (from the hand of the Ishmaelites), suggesting the Ishmaelites retained ownership throughout.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Parsha
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
Why does seeing a sotah inspire one to become a nazir? The nazir's abstention creates a pre-sin state where body and soul exist in perfect harmony. This 30-day period corrects the internal contradiction that led to his original transgression.
Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Bereishis 37:20-36, 39:1-6
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
What is the primary purpose of the cities of refuge - protecting the accidental killer or something else? The shiur argues that creating respect for law takes precedence over providing sanctuary. True deterrence comes from recognizing the gravity of murder itself, not fear of punishment.
