וַיַרְ א אֲדֹנָיו כִּי ה ‘אִּתּוֹ וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־הוּא עֹשֶׁה ה ‘מַצְלִּיחַ בְיָדוֹ. [בראשית לט:ג]
And his master (Potifar) saw that Hashem was with him (Yosef), and Hashem made successful anything that he (Yosef) did. (Bereishis 39:3)
What is the meaning of the words “Hashem was with Yosef”? Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeishev, 8) answers: The name of the Holy One, blessed be He, never left Yosef’s lips. When Yosef entered to serve him, he would whisper to himself: “Master of the Universe, you are the One in whom I trust; you are the One who is my protector, may I find grace, kindness, and mercy in your sight, and in the sight of all who see me, and in the eyes of my master, Potifar.” Thereupon Potifar asked him: “What are you whispering about? Perhaps you are trying to weave a spell over me?” “No,” he replied, “I am praying that I may find favor in your sight.” Hence it is written: And his master saw that Hashem was with him.
It appears that the message of this Midrash is that Yosef was always talking to Hashem as he was going through his day, and asking Hashem to fulfill Yosef’s requests.
That’s why —as the verse testifies — Yosef was successful in everything he did!
Rhymes for Kids
When I walk, when I talk, and even when I play
To Hashem I speak throughout my whole ____.
Trivia
In this week’s parsha there is a verse that tells us that “the pit was empty” (וְהַבּוֹר רֵק). Interestingly, the word רֵק (empty) is found only in two places in the Torah - once in our parsha and once in another place. Can you find it where it appears the second time?
