[Dean's World] Naftali: The Kingdom of Joseph

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Posted by Naftali:
The Kingdom of Joseph
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1196621754.shtml


   After spending a decade or so in prison (context), where he arose as
   temporal and spiritual leader of the âlocalâ population, Yosef
   (Joseph) finds himself, through a truly fantastic chain events
   (context), appointed by the Pharaoh effective ruler of Egypt, which
   was all ready by then the most important empire in the world (they are
   soon to become ever more wealthy and powerful, see the above link).

   The definition of Yosefâs power and position is, in the words of the
   Pharaoh. âwithout you[r permission], no man shall lift his hand nor
   foot, in the entire land of Egypt.(Genesis 41:44); âBy your word my
   nation shall be sustained, only by my throne, shall I be greater than
   you; [they shall call me King, comments Rashi], (ibid 41:40).

   Pharaoh sets forth his reasoning, thusly, âCan there found [anywhere]
   a man like this, in whom is found the spirit of G-d?!â, âas G-d has
   revealed to you all this, there is no understanding and wise [man]
   like you.â (ibid 41:38; 41;39).

   For Yosefâs inauguration, the Pharaoh parades Yosef in the chariot
   designated second to the kingâs own, while criers call out, referring
   to Yosef, the title âAvrechâ.

   The title âAvrechâ, a word etymologically derived from the Hebrew
   âVerechâ (knee), was designed to convey how all Egyptians were to
   kneel before Yosef. (Physical attestations of subjugation were the
   norm then, as is well known.)

   Interestingly though, later on, after many years, when the children of
   Jacob (Israel)âcoming as they were from Canaâan to purchase direly
   needed food and not being able to recognize Yosef, their brother, by
   sightâcame before Yosef, the Viceroy, they prostrate themselves before
   him, âfaces to the groundâ.

   But, the custom was to kneel?

   The resolution is simple: Egyptians, understanding that Yosefâs power
   was (then) not of his own accord, but rather an extension of the will
   of the Pharaoh, only kneeled before him, never prostrating themselves
   fully, as they would before the Pharaoh. But when the children of
   Israelâforeigners arriving in the land many years after Yosefâs
   appointmentâsaw how Yosef ran the âshowâ, they made no distinction
   between the status of Yosef and the Pharaoh, and therefore prostrated
   themselves fully.

   A Kabbilistic view on the issue is as follows: The sovereignty of
   Yosef-a lofty G-dly soul from the world of Aztilus (donât bother
   googling)-was a physical representation of the sovereignty of G-d. And
   kneeling and prostrating, were, respectively, a less and more extreme
   physical expression of the state of subjugation, Yosefâs G-dly reign
   effectuated in his subjects .

   The Egyptians, inhabitants of the land that was at least then known as
   the âNakedness of the Earthâ were not brought to the utter subjugation
   embodied in the act of prostration; They were only brought to their
   knees. The children of Israel, on the other hand, were brought to an
   Abrahimic âI am but dust and ashâ nullification before G-d, by virtue
   of their superior spiritual level; they prostrated âfaces to the
   groundâ.

   We await the complete manifestation of G-dâs Kingship, in the Davidic
   Kingship of the Moshiach (Messiah). When all the nations will serve
   G-d, side by side.