Why Joseph Relived Every Trial That Befell Jacob

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 5:3

All the things that happened to Jacob happened to Joseph. Concerning Jacob it is written (Genesis 31:39): "that which was stolen by day"; likewise concerning Joseph it is written (Genesis 40:15): "for indeed I was stolen." Esau pursued Jacob, and Joseph's brothers pursued him. Jacob was enslaved to Laban, and Joseph was enslaved in Egypt. Therefore it is written (Genesis 37:2): "These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph."

Themes

Biblical References