Jewish Strength: A Torah Value
"ומקצה אחיו לקח חמשה אנשים ויציגם לפני פרעה"
When his family arrives in Egypt, Yosef presents five of his brothers to Pharaoh. Who were they? Rashi quotes two opinions: 1. he took from the less strong ones (Talmud Bavli) or 2. from the strong ones (Midrash Rabbah) and he mentions that the Midrash Rabbah was written in the Land of Israel. Why does he emphasize where each answer was written?
Why does Avraham not stand up to Pharaoh when Sarah is taken from him but when Lot is captured in Eretz Yisrael he goes to fight? Why doesn't Yaakov confront Lavan until he reaches הר הגלעד?
Delivered at the OU Israel Center, December 11th, 2018 (3 Tevet 5779) Sponsored in loving memory of Baila bat Shmuel Bella Braunold by her daughters on her 30th yahrzeit, 3 Tevet