Jacob’s Misery in Egypt: The Joseph Troubles – Parashat Vayigash

After Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, he and Pharaoh send for his father Jacob. Jacob agrees to go to Egypt. After he arrives there with his descendants, a meeting is set up between him and Pharaoh. Their conversation as reported in Genesis chapter 47 goes something like this: Joseph props Jacob up before Pharaoh. Jacob says, “Hello, your majesty.” Pharaoh asks, “How old are you?” Jacob answers, “I am 130 years old. I had a short and difficult life, not living as long as my forefathers in their sojourn on earth. Goodbye, your majesty.” And he leaves.

Now Jacob, more than any of the other Patriarchs, is a diplomat. He is most adept at dealing with difficult people. He manages to stay on Laban’s good side for twenty years, leaving Aram with a large family and many assets. Upon his return to Canaan, he manages to decline his brother Esau’s invitation to join him in Seir with subtle diplomatic half-truths, leaving Esau with the false impression that he will come along later.

That is why his conversation with Pharaoh in this week’s Torah portion is so surprising. It is the opposite of what we would expect from a seasoned diplomat called up to thank his royal host, the most powerful man in the world, who has just offered to save his life and his family and provide them with all they need. Where are the gifts, the flattery, that accompanied his encounter with Esau years earlier? And what is said is barely comprehensible.

Yes, Jacob led a difficult life, but why is that Pharaoh’s business? And as far as lifespan is concerned, it is true that Pharaoh asked his age, and Jacob answered. But the comparison with the lives of his fathers makes no sense. Who is to say that his life will end up being shorter than theirs?

I think the answer to these questions can be garnered from other verses in the parashah. Jacob does not go to Egypt for the food. Jacob agrees to go to see Joseph one last time. The language indicates that Jacob expects that he will visit Joseph and return to Canaan. God confirms his initial decision, and reinforces it, telling Jacob “I will accompany you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back up to Canaan, and Joseph will be there to shut your eyes at death.” Hearing this, Jacob undoubtedly thought it meant that God would accompany him down to Egypt, and then bring Jacob, Joseph and the whole family back to Canaan, where Jacob would die in Joseph’s presence, Joseph having joined the family permanently in Canaan.

But as soon as Jacob arrives in Egypt he sees that that is not to be the case. He and his family are given what seems to be a permanent homestead in Goshen. Joseph has no intention of leaving his cushy job; Pharaoh even suggests employment for Jacob’s other sons. Jacob has no interest in a palace visit, no interest in power, no interest in charming Pharaoh; God’s plan, as he now understands it, seems pointless to him. He has to be dragged before Pharaoh and propped up by Joseph.

All Jacob wanted was to lay eyes on Joseph and return to Eretz Yisrael. Once again he is being forced away from Eretz Yisrael, this time permanently. He loses his will to live, and expects to die shortly, now that he knows he will die in Egypt.

After a twenty-year exile in Aram, Jacob finally settled down at home in Canaan. As Rashi says at the beginning of Parashat Vayeshev: “All Jacob wanted to was to settle down in peace; but he was suddenly confronted with the Joseph trouble.” Now, in Parashat Vayigash, Jacob realizes that that Joseph trouble is not yet over. It means another 17 years in another foreign land and death there. All he can do is complain about his short and troubled life. Israel’s happiness has nothing to do with power and palace visits; it is entirely dependent upon the simple routine of life and death in the land of Israel.

Shabbat Shalom from Schechter

(image: Joseph and His Brothers Carry Jacob Back into the Land of Canaan To Be Buried in the Cave where Abraham and Sarah Were Buried, Foster Bible 1897, via Wikicommons)