tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624420178579748556.post4070428473772952192..comments2022-12-13T12:11:17.699+02:00Comments on Parsha'l Thoughts: Back Together? - Parshat VayigashShelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02511343642691365840noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624420178579748556.post-6399411559124192962009-12-22T23:38:06.323+02:002009-12-22T23:38:06.323+02:00I think your first point is at least partly correc...I think your first point is at least partly correct. That is, Yosef does not come to beat up on the brothers for what they did because he knows it may yield a poor response. <br /><br />However, I believe that Yosef also genuinely believed and understood that his coming to Egypt as he did was really part of a Divine plan. <br /><br />As far as the puppet theory: This raises a much larger issue about the nature of prophecy, God's knowledge and free will. Approaching an understanding of this problem is not within the scope of this current posting! However, I think we will touch on it in various places as we proceed in future parshas.Shelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511343642691365840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2624420178579748556.post-14538211899797119262009-12-22T04:56:24.700+02:002009-12-22T04:56:24.700+02:00I think Yosef is quick to put the blame on God, so...I think Yosef is quick to put the blame on God, so to speak, because he has come to be an astute enough observer of human nature to know that people who feel excessive amounts of guilt and shame can do stupid things to hide from it. Like maybe just running out and not taking the food back home.<br /><br />I don't think God really had the brothers sell Yosef in order to save them in the famine. If we believe that, then we have to believe God is just a puppeteer and we're the puppets. What happens to free will?Batshevahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17515171881263480337noreply@blogger.com