Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted
Hebrew Text
אֵלֶּה תֹּלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף בֶּן־שְׁבַע־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה הָיָה רֹעֶה אֶת־אֶחָיו בַּצֹּאן וְהוּא נַעַר אֶת־בְּנֵי בִלְהָה וְאֶת־בְּנֵי זִלְפָּה נְשֵׁי אָבִיו וַיָּבֵא יוֹסֵף אֶת־דִּבָּתָם רָעָה אֶל־אֲבִיהֶם׃
English Translation
These are the generations of Ya῾aqov. Yosef being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilha, and with the sons of Zilpa, his father’s wives: and Yosef brought to his father their evil report.
Transliteration
Ele toldot Yaakov Yosef ben-shva-esreh shana haya roeh et-echav batzon vehu naar et-bnei Bilha ve'et-bnei Zilpa nshei aviv vayave Yosef et-dibatam ra'a el-avihem.
Hebrew Leining Text
אֵ֣לֶּה ׀ תֹּלְד֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֗ב יוֹסֵ֞ף בֶּן־שְׁבַֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֨ה רֹעֶ֤ה אֶת־אֶחָיו֙ בַּצֹּ֔אן וְה֣וּא נַ֗עַר אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י בִלְהָ֛ה וְאֶת־בְּנֵ֥י זִלְפָּ֖ה נְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֑יו וַיָּבֵ֥א יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶת־דִּבָּתָ֥ם רָעָ֖ה אֶל־אֲבִיהֶֽם׃
Parasha Commentary
📚 Talmud Citations
This verse is quoted in the Talmud.
📖 Berakhot 55b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about dreams and their interpretations, connecting Joseph's age and his role in his family's dynamics.
📖 Sotah 13b
The verse is cited in a discussion about Joseph's character and his relationship with his brothers, particularly focusing on his youth and his actions.
The Opening Phrase: "These are the generations of Yaakov"
Rashi explains that the phrase "These are the generations of Yaakov" does not list Yaakov's children, as they were already mentioned earlier. Instead, it introduces the story of Yosef, who was the primary continuation of Yaakov's legacy. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 84:6) elaborates that Yosef's righteousness and trials were central to fulfilling Yaakov's spiritual mission, making him the focal point of Yaakov's "generations."
Yosef's Age: Seventeen Years Old
The verse specifies Yosef's age to highlight his youth and innocence. Ramban notes that at seventeen, Yosef was still in his formative years, yet he was already deeply involved in his brothers' affairs. The Talmud (Chullin 92a) suggests that this age marks a transition to greater responsibility, which sets the stage for the events that follow.
Yosef as a Shepherd
The phrase "was feeding the flock with his brethren" indicates Yosef's role as a shepherd, a role often associated with leadership in Tanach (e.g., Moshe and David). Rashi comments that Yosef was diligent in his work, but the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 84:7) adds that his brothers resented his closeness to Yaakov, which foreshadows their later animosity.
Yosef's Association with Bilhah and Zilpah's Sons
The verse emphasizes that Yosef was "with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah," his father's secondary wives. Rashi explains that because these brothers (Dan, Naftali, Gad, and Asher) were marginalized by the sons of Leah, Yosef sought to support them. However, the Or HaChaim suggests that this association made him more aware of their faults, leading him to report their behavior.
The "Evil Report"
The phrase "Yosef brought their evil report to his father" is debated among commentators:
Lessons from the Verse
The narrative teaches the dangers of lashon hara (evil speech), even when intentions are pure. The Talmud (Arachin 15b) warns that words can cause irreparable harm, as seen in the brothers' subsequent sale of Yosef. Additionally, the verse underscores the importance of family unity and the pitfalls of favoritism, as Yaakov's special love for Yosef (highlighted later) exacerbated tensions.