The cause of the conflict between Yosef and his brothers: A survey of various commentators’ perspectives
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Abstract
Each exegete presented in this analysis proposes his own distinct reading of the cause of the conflict between Yosef and his brothers. These differences can be attributed to each commentator’s unique context. Abarbanel spent his life in the courts of monarchs, gaining insights into his rulers’ characters. Abarbanel was repeatedly betrayed in the most brutal ways by the kings in his time, shaping his image of kingship and power, and causing him to advocate for a democratic political system. This perspective is reflected in his reading of Parshat Vayeshev. Living centuries later and under the title of Chief Rabbi for some of his life, Malbim faced different enemies. Malbim felt responsible to fight against the Romantic Movement that had gained traction in Europe during his time. He portrays Yosef and his brothers as fighting that same fight. Yosef demonstrates man’s ability and need to overcome his emotions, while the brothers misinterpret Yosef’s character and view him as the epitome of Romanticism, placing himself in the center of the universe. Unlike Malbim, Rav Hirsch adopted some of the Romantic approach and was willing to criticize all parties involved in the conflict. However, like the Malbim, Rav Hirsch fought a movement of his time: the Reform Movement. Being chief rabbi of various communities, Rav Hirsch spearheaded this opposition. He enlisted the text for this purpose, demonstrating how the characters are controlled by their emotions and require the Torah to be their moral guide and to learn how their instincts can be used as a vehicle in building up family bonds rather than breaking them down. Each commentator’s perspective offers an approach that can resonate with different readers of the text due to each reader’s own unique situation. Therefore, the pursuit of exploring different interpretations to verses and narratives in the Torah is worthwhile. Understanding the personal experiences, geographical locations, and political currents of a commentator’s time enables the reader to gravitate towards the exegete whose context most closely resonates with them. (from Conclusion)