Love of the Land

People of The Land #16

Become a Supporter Library Library
Love of the Land

PEOPLE OF THE LAND
Selections from classical Torah sources
which express the special relationship between
the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael

YOSEF -
Proud of His Origins

Why did Yosef merit to be buried in Eretz Yisrael while Moshe did not?

The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 2:8) supplies a perspective by contrasting the reactions of these two to a mention of their origins. When the daughters of Yitro reported to their father that "an Egyptian saved us" (Shmot 2:19) Moshe made no effort to correct this false impression and stress his Hebrew origin.

Yosef, on the other hand, made no effort to deny his Hebrew origin when Potifar's wife (Bereishet 39:14) derided him as a "Hebrew brought here to make fun of us." In his request to the chief butler he proudly mentioned that he came from the land of the Hebrews.

"He who proudly admits that this was his land shall be buried in it," declared Hashem, "but he who did not do so shall not be buried in it."


Love of the Land Archives


Written by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Web Production: Binyamin Rosenstock
© 2002 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved. This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue newsletters. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.

This publication is available via E-Mail
Ohr Somayach Institutions is an international network of Yeshivot and outreach centers, with branches in North America, Europe, South Africa and South America. The Central Campus in Jerusalem provides a full range of educational services for over 685 full-time students.

The Jewish Learning Exchange (JLE) of Ohr Somayach offers summer and winter programs in Israel that attract hundreds of university students from around the world for 3 to 8 weeks of study and touring.


Copyright © 2002 Ohr Somayach International. Send us Feedback.
Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.