Joseph went into the house to do his business (Gen. 39:11) According to the Targum (translation into Aramaic) of Onkelos, Joseph went in to "examine the accounts" (for which he was responsible) of Potiphar's household. Indeed, this was the greatness of Joseph: the ability to maintain the highest level of attachment to G-d even while actively involved in worldly pursuits. (Derech Mitzvotecha, Tzemach Tzedek)
These are the generations of Jacob, Joseph (Gen. 37:2) The name Joseph (Yosef) is from the Hebrew meaning to add or increase. Joseph is symbolic of every Jew. The lesson to be derived is that a Jew must never allow himself to stagnate, but must always climb upward along the spiritual "ladder" of Judaism. (Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov)
They hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him (Gen. 37:4) The main component of all controversy is the absence of dialogue, the unwillingness to listen to what someone else has to say and understand it from his perspective. If people would really know how to talk to each other, most of the time they would discover that they have nothing to argue about. (Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschitz)
And he said, I seek my brothers (Gen. 37:16) When a Jew prays, he should try to connect his personal requests to the needs of the Jewish people. For example, when praying for a sick person, we say, "may G-d show you mercy, along with the rest of the ill of Israel." Joseph prayed to be saved together with his brethren. (Ohr HaTefila)
G-d was with Joseph and he was a successful man (Gen. 39:2) Joseph was close to G-d when things were good for him, even when he was a "successful man." (Rabbi Simcha Bunim)
From our Sages & Moshiach Now! reprinted from LchaimWeekly.org - LYO / NYC
