AVROHOM YAAKOV
As the worldwide famine predicted by Yosef began to bite, the focus of the Torah narrative shifted back to the land of Canaan and Yosef’s family there.
Yaakov saw that food was being sold in Egypt ... “Now I hear,” he went on, “that there are rations to be had in Egypt...” (42:1-2)
This seems to be contradictory – either Yaakov saw or he heard. Which was it?
Many commentators answer that the Torah uses hearing and seeing interchangeably.
Others suggest that Yaakov may have seen travellers arriving from Egypt with provisions and was told that food could be purchased there.
However the sequence should have been that Yaakov heard first. Why lead off with Yaakov seeing?
Rashi explains “How did he see it? Surely he did not see but he heard it, as it is said ‘Behold, I have heard ...’ What, then, is meant by ‘And Yaakov saw’? He saw in a holy dim vision that there was hope for him in Egypt, but it was not a true prophetic vision telling him plainly that it was Yosef in whom his hope lay that the seeing referred to hear what a prophetic vision that Egypt was a source of hope.”
Karnei Ohr has an interesting take on what Yaakov’s indistinct vision was. ‘Seeing’ implies looking beyond the superficial facts. Shlomo HaMelech writes (Koheles 2:14) “the wise man has his eyes in his head”. The wise person looks beyond the surface and perceives beyond that which is obvious. He looks at the actions and consequences.
Yaakov saw that something strange was happening in Egypt. Supporting of the world with food in times of famine was not in character with Egypt. Taking advantage of such as situation to conquer others was.
He therefore hoped that other factors were at play leading Egypt act philanthropically, possibly because Yosef was involved.
WHEN WE LOOK at any situation, do we take things at face value, even when circumstances appear strange, or are we to read more into things?
All of a sudden, a foe of Israel offers to help. Or a business competitor clues you in on the deal of a lifetime.
What to make of the atypical behaviour? Is the enemy planning an attack and hoping to lull Israel into a sense of peace before striking? (Think October 6.)
Is the business deal really that good?
Yaakov’s example tells us that we shouldn’t just accept the situation, but we do need to analyse what is happening and take appropriate action.
