Yosef’s Exclamation about Yaacov’s Life

QUESTION: Prior to revealing himself to his brothers, Yosef had asked about his father. Why immediately after revealing himself, does Yosef again ask if his father still lives?

ANSWER: It was not a question, rather an exclamation. Yosef expressed amazement that Yaacov was still alive in order to impress his brothers the urgency of bringing him to Egypt (and not a reproach to them). Thus, when one needs to reproach another, must be careful to revert to Chesed.

(ליקוטי שיחות כרך טו, עמ' 391)