[Avodah] Forgiveness, Shalom. Yoesf and his Brothers

[Meir Rabi]

Zev Sero wrote:

 

It doesn't matter that the bros of Yosef were forcing Y to forgive them
through a fabricated message that YaAkov had left a final wish to that
effect.  So long as Yosef continues to act as if he forgave them, and
doesn't kill them all, now that Yaacov is safely dead (as Esav had planned
to do to Yaacov), they don't care whether he truly forgives them.

 

R' Zev, I think that three important points must be noted: Firstly, (and
this applies also to R Micha's comment - they despaired of being forgiven,
and were willing to settle for saving their lives) they could not have had a
serious thought that Yosef would kill them since their lie in that case
would not be Mipney HaShalom, as the Gemara says but more simply for PiKuAch
Nefesh.

 

Secondly, it would be a perversion for the Gemara to prove that one may lie
for peace when in fact they should have pursued the proper option of
mollifying Yosef. Certainly they knew they had sinned, they said so
themselves, Yosef might pay us back for all the evil we did to him
[Bereishis 50:15]

 

Thirdly, one can hardly permit lying under the pretext of Shalom when in
fact your only real concern is your own comfort. Dare anyone suggest that
the brothers lied just to ensure that they retain their privileges and
luxuries from Yosef's purse? And along similar considerations, I believe
that the last comment, 'they [the bros] don't care whether he [Yosef] truly
forgives them' is not well crafted.

 

 

Meir Rabi

 

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