The Deeper Meaning Of A Name
In naming his sons, Joseph communicates his thoughts on living in Egypt, alone and distant from his family.
By Rabbi Avraham Fischer; Provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations.The following article is reprinted with permission from the Orthodox Union.Joseph's transformation from imprisoned Hebrew slave to vizier is sudden and dizzying.
Based on his initiative and his abilities as a dream-interpreter and adviser, he is taken from the dungeon of Pharaoh's prison and placed at Pharaoh's side as second-in-command. Pharaoh says:
"You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be sustained; only by the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40).
During this critical period in Joseph's life, the "master of dreams" (37:19) becomes the center of a world of public action. Pharaoh appoints him as supervisor of the national food collection and distribution project, and endows him with all the trappings of service to the king:
"And Pharaoh removed his ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put the golden medallion on his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot and they cried before him, "I command, kneel (avrech)," placing him over the whole land of Egypt (41:42-43).
Joseph is thoroughly successful in discharging his commission, and he rises to the highest position possible under the Pharaoh. But, whereas before, while he was in his father's house and in the prison, as well as later, in the presence of his brothers, we have an insight into Joseph's frame of mind, during this period Joseph is either acting or acted-upon. The Torah shares almost none of his thoughts with us.
How does Joseph the man--as distinct from Joseph the public figure--feel about his metamorphosis?
A Glimpse into Joseph's Life
The only glimpse we have into Joseph's inner life is in connection with the birth of his two children:
"And to Joseph were born two sons, before the years of the famine came, which Asenat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On, bore him. And Joseph called the name of the first-born Menasheh, for "God made me forget (nashani) all my toil and all my father's house." And the name of the second he called Ephrayim, for "God has made me fruitful (hifrani) in the land of my affliction" (41:50-52).
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