It's just the beginning of a whole new chapter!
After Joseph's incredible rise, having gone from enslaved prisoner to second-in-command, he needed a wife. And the Bible tells us (Genesis 41:45) that Pharaoh gave him Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
But what about their betrothal? Their wedding? What did that look like? The Bible is silent.
That’s where the aggadah, the storytelling tradition, steps in to fill the gaps. The aggadah tries to answer the questions that the core text, the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) leaves unanswered. And Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews gives us a fascinating peek into what Joseph's wedding might have been like.
According to this telling, Joseph confirmed everything he'd heard about Asenath. Can you imagine the relief, the joy? And then, "they embraced and kissed each other in token of their betrothal." It's a deeply human moment amidst the grandeur of the Egyptian court.
The betrothal itself was a celebration. Potiphar and his wife, Asenath's parents, threw a banquet. But the wedding? Ah, that was an event of a whole different magnitude. It took place later, and not just any later, but in the very presence of Pharaoh himself!
Pharaoh placed golden crowns upon the heads of both Joseph and Asenath. A golden crown. Imagine the weight, the symbolism, of that moment. And then, Pharaoh gave them his blessing. A blessing from the ruler of Egypt!
But the celebration didn't stop there. Oh no. Pharaoh threw a seven-day feast in their honor. Seven days! He invited the magnates and princes of Egypt and even those from other countries. Think of the diplomacy, the sheer scale of it all.
And here's the kicker: during those seven days, the people were prohibited, under penalty of death, from doing any work. All were to join in celebrating Joseph's marriage. It was a complete standstill, a nation brought together to celebrate the union of this Hebrew man and his Egyptian bride.
What does it all mean? Perhaps it emphasizes Joseph's complete integration into Egyptian society, the unprecedented honor bestowed upon him. Or perhaps, it’s a way of highlighting the divine favor upon Joseph, showing how far he had risen and the importance of his role in God's plan.
Whatever the reason, it's a powerful image, isn't it? A wedding celebrated not just by family and friends, but by an entire nation. A testament to the extraordinary life of Joseph, the dreamer who became a leader. It makes you wonder about the stories behind other biblical figures...and the celebrations we don't know about.