Joseph Greeted His Brothers in Peace Though They Hated Him

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 7:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Gen. 37:4:) AND HIS BROTHERS SAW THAT THEIR FATHER LOVED HIM MORE THAN ALL HIS BROTHERS, [AND THEY HATED HIM AND COULD NOT SPEAK TO HIM IN PEACE]. For he would come and ask after their welfare (shalom), and they would not answer him. Why? Because such was his custom, that he would ask after their welfare. You have a person who, before he has entered into office [asks after the welfare of people; but once he has entered into office], his spirit grows coarse upon him, and he does not take care to ask after the welfare of the people of the city. But Joseph was not so: even though he had entered into office, it was still his custom to ask after the welfare of his brothers, as it is said (Gen. 43:27), AND HE ASKED THEM CONCERNING THEIR WELFARE. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Joseph, you were the one who began to ask after the welfare of your brothers in this world, and they hated you; but in the world to come I will reconcile you and remove the hatred from among you, and I will settle you in tranquility and make peace among you. And thus said David (Ps. 133:1), BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BROTHERS TO DWELL TOGETHER.

Themes

World To ComeHatredJosephDavidPsalms

Biblical References

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