What Does it Really What Does it Really Mean to Forgive?Mean to Forgive?

A Powerpoint Accompaniment A Powerpoint Accompaniment to Lecture 4 in a series of to Lecture 4 in a series of

online classes by Rabbi David online classes by Rabbi David FohrmanFohrman

Reconsidering Some Questions Reconsidering Some Questions Raised in Lecture #1Raised in Lecture #1

Slavery comes out of nowhere in the Slavery comes out of nowhere in the Book of Exodus. Why, and how?Book of Exodus. Why, and how?

Why does the Pharaoh who “forgot” Why does the Pharaoh who “forgot” about Joseph, remember him so well?about Joseph, remember him so well?– ““Joseph imagery” pervades Pharaoh’s Joseph imagery” pervades Pharaoh’s

words at every turn.words at every turn.

Links Between BooksLinks Between Books

Earlier, we mentioned links between Earlier, we mentioned links between Genesis 50 and the beginning of Genesis 50 and the beginning of Exodus…Exodus…

……but the connection between Genesis but the connection between Genesis and Exodus is far broader and deeper and Exodus is far broader and deeper than this…than this…

Genesis Exodus

Beginning ofSlavery

Genesis Chapter 50Brothers and Joseph

Talk About the Pit

Genesis Chapter 47Joseph Takes

Care of his Brothers

As we will soon show, the language of the text seems to indicate a connectionbetween the first chapter of Exodus, and two earlier chpaters in Genesis – Chapters fifty and forty seven.

One chapter seems to set forth the economic underpinnings of slavery;the other seems to set forth its metaphysical underpinnings.

The Socio-Economic The Socio-Economic Background to Slavery: Background to Slavery:

Genesis Chapter 47Genesis Chapter 47Strangers vs. LandholdersStrangers vs. Landholders When the brothers first petition When the brothers first petition

Pharaoh to stay in Egypt, they state Pharaoh to stay in Egypt, they state “lagur ba’aretz banu” – we have come “lagur ba’aretz banu” – we have come to sojourn in the land… (47:4).to sojourn in the land… (47:4).

In actuality, though, Joseph gives them In actuality, though, Joseph gives them an “achuzah” – a holding – in the land an “achuzah” – a holding – in the land (v. 11).(v. 11).

In Biblical Hebrew, the term “achuzah” In Biblical Hebrew, the term “achuzah” denotes an ancestral plot – the deepest denotes an ancestral plot – the deepest kind of connection a human can have kind of connection a human can have to land…to land…

Achuzah / A “Holding” in Achuzah / A “Holding” in EgyptEgypt

As if to emphasize the As if to emphasize the point, the Torah creates a point, the Torah creates a “sandwich” of sorts in this “sandwich” of sorts in this chapter, a theme that chapter, a theme that repeats itself briefly on repeats itself briefly on both sides of a major both sides of a major event. event.

The term “achuzah”, as The term “achuzah”, as we will see in a moment, we will see in a moment, plays an important role in plays an important role in this “sandwich”…this “sandwich”…

““The Sandwich”The Sandwich”

‘Top’ Theme: Verses 11-12 – The Israelites’ experience in Egypt

‘Bottom Theme’: Verse 27 – The Israelites’ experience in Egypt

Middle Theme: Intervening Verses – The Egyptian experience in Egypt

‘Top’ Theme: Verses 11-12 – The Israelites’ experience in Egypt

‘Bottom Theme’: Verse 27 – The Israelites’ experience in Egypt

…and Joseph gave them an achuzah (holding) in the land of Egypt…

…and the Israelites settled in Egypt and took hold of it there…

Parallel Language: The verb “achuza”

becomes a noun

Examining the Intervening Examining the Intervening VersesVerses

Having looked briefly at the “bread”, let’s examine these intervening verses, which describe the Egyptian experience in Egypt…

““Bread” in the top piece of Bread” in the top piece of BreadBread

Verse 12 – the last Verse 12 – the last verse in the “top piece verse in the “top piece of bread” ends with of bread” ends with the words that Joseph the words that Joseph provided “bread, provided “bread, enough for the enough for the children”.children”.

Verse 13 – the first Verse 13 – the first verse of the middle verse of the middle section picks up on the section picks up on the bread theme – “…and bread theme – “…and there was no bread in there was no bread in all the land of Egypt…”all the land of Egypt…”

The contrast is The contrast is stark: stark:

Joseph’s family Joseph’s family was provided for -- was provided for -- but the Egyptians but the Egyptians

needed to needed to struggle.struggle.

Shepherds and SheepShepherds and Sheep The impoverished masses plead The impoverished masses plead

with Joseph for food. As they with Joseph for food. As they have no money to pay Pharaoh, have no money to pay Pharaoh, Joseph asks for sheep instead.Joseph asks for sheep instead.

When is the last time we heard When is the last time we heard about sheep in Genesis?about sheep in Genesis?

……and you [Joseph’s brothers] and you [Joseph’s brothers] shall say to Pharaoh: “we are shall say to Pharaoh: “we are herders of sheep, from our herders of sheep, from our ancestors until now… (Genesis ancestors until now… (Genesis 47:3).47:3).

The Middle SectionThe Middle Section

Throughout this middle section of text, Throughout this middle section of text, we find many foreshadows of what is we find many foreshadows of what is to come in the Book of Exodus. to come in the Book of Exodus.

Taxes: A Way Station to SlaveryTaxes: A Way Station to Slavery Joseph levies taxes on the land; the Joseph levies taxes on the land; the

Egyptian people proclaim: Let us be Egyptian people proclaim: Let us be slaves to Pharaoh!slaves to Pharaoh!

Pharaoh levies taxes on the Jews; the Pharaoh levies taxes on the Jews; the Jews become slaves to Pharaoh in Jews become slaves to Pharaoh in EgyptEgypt

Storehouses in Ra’amsesStorehouses in Ra’amses

The Jews settle in the land The Jews settle in the land of Ra’amses.of Ra’amses.

The Jews build storehouses The Jews build storehouses for Pharaoh –one of which for Pharaoh –one of which is the city of Ra’amses.is the city of Ra’amses.

Why Storehouses?Why Storehouses?– Are the Egyptians seeking to Are the Egyptians seeking to

ensure they will never again ensure they will never again be victims of a famine?be victims of a famine?

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

At the end of this middle At the end of this middle section, the verse (47:27) section, the verse (47:27) states: “vayifru, vayirbu states: “vayifru, vayirbu me’od” – me’od” – and [the Jews] were and [the Jews] were fruitful, and they multiplied fruitful, and they multiplied greatly.greatly.

Every other word in this Every other word in this phrase is repeated in Exodus, phrase is repeated in Exodus, in a verse that is the in a verse that is the immediate prelude to immediate prelude to slavery…slavery…

At the end of this middle section, the At the end of this middle section, the verse (47:27) states: “vayifru, verse (47:27) states: “vayifru, vayirbu me’od” – vayirbu me’od” – and [the Jews] were and [the Jews] were fruitful,fruitful, and they and they multiplied greatly.multiplied greatly.

Exodus 1:7: And the Israelites were Exodus 1:7: And the Israelites were fruitful fruitful and they swarmed;and they swarmed; they they multiplied multiplied and grew strong,and grew strong, very very greatly.greatly.

Green = Words from Genesis; Yellow = New Words

The Roots of Egyptian The Roots of Egyptian ParanoiaParanoia

In Exodus, why were the In Exodus, why were the Israelites able to increase so Israelites able to increase so quickly? quickly?

The text seems to suggest The text seems to suggest that the roots of this process that the roots of this process comes from the relatively comes from the relatively abundant food the brothers abundant food the brothers were supplied with in Egypt…were supplied with in Egypt…

The impression seems to be The impression seems to be that the process which that the process which started in Genesis – started in Genesis – population growth – has now population growth – has now increased exponentially…increased exponentially…

By the time By the time Exodus rolls Exodus rolls around, this around, this growth leads growth leads Pharaoh to Pharaoh to

reassess his view reassess his view of Joseph. of Joseph.

His new view is His new view is fraught with fraught with paranoia…paranoia…

Re-Reading Exodus Chapter Re-Reading Exodus Chapter 11

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The Israelites are becoming people, 'The Israelites are becoming a people too a people too numerousnumerous and strong for us.1:10 and strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. Otherwise, they may with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is war, increase so much, that if there is war, they will they will add on to our enemiesadd on to our enemies and fight against us, and fight against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of Pitom and were to build up the cities of Pitom and Ra'amsesRa'amses as as supply centerssupply centers for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

““Hava / Come”Hava / Come”

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is

war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of

Pitom and Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply centerssupply centers for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

The last person to use the phrase “hava” / “come”, is Joseph – the person the king has supposedly forgotten about.

Joseph had told the Egyptians “come, give your sheep…”

““Wisdom”Wisdom”

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is

war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of

Pitom and Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply centerssupply centers for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

The last person described as “wise” wasJoseph, who was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams…

Tax Masters & Task MastersTax Masters & Task Masters

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is

war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, war, they will join our enemies and fight against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of

Pitom and Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply centerssupply centers for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

Joseph had levied taxes on the Egyptians on behalf of Pharaoh.

Supply CentersSupply Centers

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is war, they war, they will add themselveswill add themselves to our enemies and fight to our enemies and fight

against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of Pitom and to build up the cities of Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply supply

centerscenters for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

Pharaoh had once benevolently let the Israelites settle in Ra’amses. Now he is forcing them to build it into a storehouse – perhaps to ensure that Egyptians will never again be caught

unawares by a famine

Joseph and “Venosaf”Joseph and “Venosaf”

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is war, they war, they will add themselveswill add themselves to our enemies and fight to our enemies and fight

against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of Pitom and to build up the cities of Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply supply

centerscenters for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

They will “add themselves”, in Hebrew [venosaf], is a play on Joseph’s name [yosef].

Am RavAm Rav

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us.1:10 strong for us.1:10 Come, let usCome, let us deal deal wisely wisely with them. with them. Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is Otherwise, they may increase so much, that if there is war, they war, they will add themselveswill add themselves to our enemies and fight to our enemies and fight

against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The against us, driving us from the land.'1:11 [The Egyptians] appointed Egyptians] appointed taxtax officers over [the Israelites] to officers over [the Israelites] to crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were crush their spirits with hard labor. [The Israelites] were to build up the cities of Pitom and to build up the cities of Pitom and Ra'amses as as supply supply

centerscenters for Pharaoh. for Pharaoh.

And the most chilling reminder of Genesis is perhaps these words – Pharaoh’s exclamation that the Israelites have become

an “am rav” – “a nation [too] numerous for us”

Am RavAm Rav

1:8 A new king 1:8 A new king who did not know of Josephwho did not know of Joseph, came into , came into power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The power over Egypt. 1:9 He announced to his people, 'The

Israelites are becoming Israelites are becoming a people too numerousa people too numerous and and strong for us…strong for us…

Joseph, just a couple of dozen verses ago, had left his brothers offer – “let us be your slaves” – on the table, telling them that

it was not up to him; it was up to God. And anyway, he continued, it looks like God thinks everything worked out fine. It was all part of His plan – for by selling me into slavery, I rose to power and am now in a position to take

care of you…

…and thereby, to make you into an “am rav” – a numerous people…

The Concentric Orbits of Divine The Concentric Orbits of Divine ProvidenceProvidence

Joseph in the pit Joseph provides for brothers

Joseph lays groundworkFor slavery

…the very offer the brothers left on the table immediately before Joseph reassured them About how God evidently

had larger things in mind that fateful day at the pit.