“Hashem does not withdraw his eyes from a tzaddik“ (Iyov 36:7). As a reward for the modesty of Rachel, she merited that Shaul descended from her. As a reward for the modesty of Shaul, he merited that Esther descended from him (Megillah 13b).
The Netziv interprets “aino“ as the essence. Rachel did not reveal the story of the password, Shaul did not reveal that he was anointed as king, and Esther did not reveal her origin. Rachel’s selflessness was recognized by Hashem when He ignored the Avos and Moshe Rabbeinu but acceded to her request that her children return from exile to their boundaries (Medrash Eicha Psicha 24).
While Shaul and Esther descended from Rachel’s son Binyamin, Yosef also exhibited great modesty. His children are compared to fish, which are covered by water (Beraishis 48:16). As a result, the evil eye, which results when one flaunts his blessings, has no power over them (49:22 and Berachos 20a).
Yosef ruled for eighty years, the longest tenure in biblical history (Seforno 37:7). Yosef, like Yaakov, helped everyone (42:6), and, despite his involvement in matters of state for eight decades, remained separate from the mores of Egyptian society and retained his righteousness (Rashi Shemos 1:5).
The longevity of his rule can be attributed to his modesty. He served Pharoah loyally and sought neither primacy nor honor. He did not display excessive wealth. Thereby, he avoided the evil eye for himself and his descendants.
Indeed, Yaakov preceded Yosef in this laudable trait as well. He asked his sons, “Why do you make yourselves conspicuous?“ (Beraishis 42:21) “Why do you display yourselves before the sons of Yishmael and Eisav as wealthy and satiated at a time of famine?“ (Rashi)
The Kli Yakar (Devarim 2:3) bemoans the fact that Jews flaunt their wealth, ignoring Yaakov’s advice. This behavior arouses the jealousy of the nations and causes the problems that Am Yisroel faces.
Ostentation is related to both excessive competition and assimilation. To achieve that security and separateness that we require in the midst of the non-Jewish society, modesty is required. If one does not crave wealth and honor, he can be friendly and kind to all and remain separate from the nations. The essence of Yosef, as Hashem promised, protects the essence of Yaakov.
