Rashi is actually addressing a perplexing aspect of this tale. Rashi’s main concern is not the extra couple of words (“the following”), but the much more serious question of why Yosef sent ten donkeys laden with food. As we saw earlier, both Pharaoh and Yosef repeatedly urged the brothers to return to Egypt hastily. They were given wagons, to reduce their travel time. Pharaoh encouraged them to abandon their possessions in Canaan, as packing everything up would delay their return to Egypt. It seems clear that the emphasis was on speed. Get here as quickly as possible.
Now, given that their time back home in Canaan was intended to be as short as possible, why did Yosef send so many donkeys laden with food? Surely, they had no need for all that food if they were to make a hasty return to Egypt. This leaves us terribly confused: Why did Yosef send ten donkeys fully-loaded with food on top of the generous provisions already provided by Pharaoh? This is way more food than they could possibly consume in such a short period of time!
The Feeling Behind the Food
Although Yosef’s brothers and family had no need for all that food, Yosef felt he had to at least match Pharaoh’s gift. It would not be right, Yosef reasoned, that his family would feel Pharaoh’s generosity and not his own.
The purpose was not to supply them with provisions, as these quantities were far in excess of their needs. Rather, it was designed to demonstrate Yosef’s happiness at being reunited with his family, and an indication of his commitment to their future welfare.
That is what the Torah means with the words “the following.” As Rashi notes, it means that it was “according to a specific amount.” What amount? The same amount that Pharaoh gave, namely ten. In other words, a matching gift. It is as if the verse had said, “So as not to be outshone by Pharaoh, Yosef likewise gave ten...”
10 or 11?
Now scripture does not tell us how many donkey loads of food Pharaoh sent. But we do know that he had each brother load up his beast (along with a wagon) with provisions. Since Pharaoh sent 10 loads of food, so did Yosef.
But didn’t Yosef have eleven brothers? He did, but one of those had no donkey! How is that possible? Pretty simple, as it turns out.
During their previous visit to Egypt to purchase food, Simeon was taken prisoner by Yosef as a guarantee that the brothers would return with Benjamin. Now, when the brothers returned home without Simeon, there is no reason to believe that they left his donkey in Egypt. Most likely, the brothers loaded it up with food and brought the donkey with them back to Canaan.
So, now they had eleven brothers, but only ten donkeys! As they now had wagons, that was not going to pose a problem, so Pharaoh just loaded up ten donkeys.
An Expression of Love
Here we have a simple but important lesson: Yosef sent a lavish gift to his father, even though he had no need for all the provisions. Within a short while, he would be in Egypt with Yosef where all his needs would be met with great generosity. Nevertheless, Yosef wanted to ensure that he would feel the generosity, experience the love, and know that his beloved son Yosef was keen on honoring him. An act of kindness is not only about meeting another person’s practical needs, it also means addressing a person’s emotional, sentimental needs.
Yaakov’s stomach had no use for all that food, but his heart would feel the love. Yaakov’s mouth could not take in those provisions, but his feelings would be soothed by the tangible expression of affection.
When you have occasion to give, give generously. Let the receiver know that you do so with enthusiasm and a full heart.
Adapted from Likutei Sichot, vol. 10, Parshat Vayigash II.
