43 Peculiar Behavior
There is a harbor where stormy issues do not toss us back and forth. Even though we may face various disruptions all about us, we can have a place where we enjoy a state of peacefulness in our souls. Our discussion focuses on how we moor to The Harbor of Peace and Safety.
God has a Goal
Joseph’s behavior towards his brothers was peculiar. Sometimes people act strangely because they have a purpose in mind. They are judging our response. I act oddly occasionally to elicit a response. Rabbis use odd behavior with a goal in mind. Joseph was accomplished at using strange approaches to trigger a reaction. In Scripture, God uses rhetorical questions to produce an effect and make a statement rather than evoke an answer.
In Genesis Three, The Lord God Calls to Adam, ‘Where are you?’ God knew where Adam was. God was asking Adam a question to make a statement. Adam, you cannot hide from Me! You are trying to hide because you were disobedient. In Genesis four, God Knew why Cain was angry. Yet, God Asks Cain, ‘Why are you angry?’ Several scriptures later, God Asks Cain, ‘Where is Able your brother? Parents often question their children even though they know the answer. Police use this technique when questioning a suspect.
Joseph wanted to see if his brothers would own up to what they had done to him? What about us? Are we ready to own up to our mistakes and failures?
What did Joseph’s Brothers Do? What approach did they take?
They brought Benjamin down to Egypt as requested.
They approached the man who was in charge of Joseph’s house.
They spoke to the man in charge at the entrance of the house. They explained the problem from their point of view. They wanted to address the issues right away.
They attempted to make it right.
They expressed that they did not know what was going on. The Brothers didn’t do anything wrong in these instances. Yet, in another instance, they were guilty. They kidnapped their brother, sold him into slavery, and deceived their Father into thinking Joseph was dead.
They brought the gifts that were in their hand, Genesis 43.26.
They prostrated themselves respectfully before Joseph. They were humble.
Menasheh, the man in charge, had Simeon brought out. Interestingly, Simeon’s name did not come up until after dealing with the money issues first.
At the meal, they became intoxicated, Genesis 44.34
What are we to learn from Ha Torah’s Description of what happened between Joseph and his brothers?
They sought counsel immediately. They followed the advice of Jacob’s wise counsel. They asked for the blessing of compassion while in the presence of Joseph. The brothers were respectful to Joseph. They deferred to Joseph. They cooperated with Joseph’s requests. They discussed misunderstandings. They tried to do the right things as they saw them. They brought gifts. They honored Joseph.
In the here and now, the goal for Jew and non-Jew alike is to reach a place in our life where we enjoy a state of peacefulness in our souls. We have an opportunity to repent before we enter the court and stand to hear the verdict. Our mistakes and failures can be entirely eradicated! Let’s not be like Cain, who refused to repent. Let’s be like Joseph’s brothers, who acknowledged their mistakes, reversed their course, and worked to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Psalms 40.
I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry. And He drew me up from the gruesome pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps secure. And He has put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Happy is the individual who makes the Lord their trust and does not turn to the proud, nor to those who go astray after lies. Many, O Lord my God, are your wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are toward us; none can compare with You; if I would declare and tell of them, they would be more than can be numbered. You do not desire sacrifice and offering; You have dug open my ears; You have not required burnt offering and sin offering. Then I said, behold, I come; in the scroll of The Book it is written about me, I delight to do your will, O my God; your Torah is in my heart.
The Scriptures are sharing with us is that there is a harbor where stormy issues do not toss us back and forth. Even though we may face various disruptions all about us, we can have a place where we enjoy a state of peacefulness in our souls. That place exists for those who are servants of God, The Creator of everything. That place is where we acknowledge God.
We observe the Torah mystically in the Words of Genesis 43.27
Ha Torah – The Torah
התורה
ה5 ת400 ו6 ר200 ה5 = 616
Genesis 43.27
וַיִּשְׁאַל לָהֶם לְשָׁלוֹם וַיֹּאמֶר הֲשָׁלוֹם אֲבִיכֶם הַזָּקֵן אֲשֶׁר אֲמַרְתֶּם הַעוֹדֶנּוּ חָי: ס
And [Joseph] asked them of their welfare, and said, ‘Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?’
Genesis 43.28
And they [Joseph’s brothers] answered, [Joseph], Peace to your servant, to our father [Israel], [meaning] your servant, our father, Israel is at peace [he is in good health]… our [Father] is yet living. And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves [before Joseph].
The Scripture, Genesis 43.28, is the fulfillment of Genesis 37 Prophecy. Genesis 43.28 also shares another side for the meaning of שָׁלוֹם Shalom – Peace. The brothers were not saying Israel was entirely healthy. They were not saying that he was without any sickness or disease. They were not saying Israel was without any pain. They were conveying that Israel was enjoying a state of peacefulness in his soul. In other words, all was well with his soul! They were sharing that their Father had a restful soul. Material things did not disrupt the shalom he experienced in his soul.
הֲשָׁלוֹם אֲבִיכֶם הַזָּקֵן
[how is] The peace / welfare of your Father, the Elder
ה5 ש300 ל30 ו6 ם40 א1 ב2 י10 כ20 ם40 ה5 ז7 ק100 ן50 = 616
We have just shown that the Letters in the Word Ha Torah is 616, and the total Letters in the Words [How is] the peace/welfare of your Father, the Elder is also 616. What does this say to us? What should this tell us?
Rabbi Eleazar said in the name of Rabbi Chanina: The disciples of the wise increase peace in the world, as it says, And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the Peace of thy children. Do not read בניך banayik meaning your children but instead read bonayik your builders Why? Because great is the Peace for those that love Ha Torah / Your Law, and there is no stumbling for them. Peace be within your walls and prosperity within your homes. For my brethren and companions’ sake, I say, Peace be within you for the sake of the house of the L-rd our G-d I will seek your good. The L-rd will give strength to His people. The Lord will Bless His people with Peace. Berachot 64a
Dear Ones, this speaks to the value of the daily study of Ha Torah.
May we live within Torah’s Guidelines. May our sins be buried in The Sea of Forget-fullness, never to be resurrected and held against us. May we forgive each other of our errors and sins. May we bring peace and healing to our world. May we do our best to defuse situations where tension exists. May HaShem Bless us with compassion in the eyes of those who have issues with us. May we be careful to do what is right. May we help others. May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day. May our names be written in The Book of Life for this coming year. May we repent of all our sins.
Blessings and Peace,
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
