(2002/5763)

In this week’s Parsha, Perek 50 Pasuk 16 says “Vayitzavu El Yosef Laymor Avicha Tziva Lifnai Moto Laymor:”  Yosef’s brothers commanded him that their father commanded them to apologize to Yosef before Yaakov’s death  The question arises as to where in Bereishit Yaakov actually commanded this.  Rashi answers that the brothers altered their father’s wish for the sake of peace.  This is not a bad thing for the brothers to have done, because now they need to rely on Yosef to live in Egypt.  In fact, the Gemara in Yevamot (65b) uses this Pasuk to prove that lying for the sake of peace is halachically allowed.

The Rashbam disagrees with Rashi by saying that the brothers were in fact telling the truth.  He says that when Yaakov told the brothers this commandment, they sent private messengers to tell Yosef.  However, there is a problem with this answer.  Where is the proof from the Chumash that Yaakov commanded all of the brother’s except Yosef?  Also, where  is there proof that they sent any messengers to Yosef?

The Shaloh, Rabbi Yeshayahu Halevi Horowitz, offers another opinion.  In Perek 49 Pasuk 1 Yaakov tells those surrounding him, “Heyasufu Vaagidah Lachem.  Why did Yaakov have to say “Heyasufu” if all the brothers were already surrounding him?  The Shalo answers  that when Yaakov said “Heyasfu,” he meant that the brothers should gather with Achdut, unity.  This is when Yaakov commanded the brothers to make-up.

We all learn from the Sons of Yaakov that only when there is Achdut among all of Bnei Yisrael can we have the Geula and the coming of Mashiach.