The Reunion

The reunion of Yosef and his brother, Binyamin, and the reunion with Yakov, were very emotional meetings.

Our commentators describe how Yosef cried on the shoulders of Binyamin, and Binyamin cried on his shoulders. They were able to see into the future, that the Mishkan in Shilo, in Yosef’s territory, would one day be destroyed. And they saw the Beit Hamikdash in Jerusalem, in Binyamin’s territory, eventually destroyed.

Each one felt the pain of his beloved brother. They realized that the destruction that they foresaw, was caused by שנאת חינם, causeless hatred. They hoped that their deep love for one another would offset this hatred. It is a beautiful thing to witness true brotherly love.

When Yakov was finally reunited with Yosef, it only mentions that Yosef cried profusely. He felt all of his father’s pain of the past twenty-two years.

The Torah does not speak of Yakov’s weeping. He paused for what might have been the happiest moment of his life, to recite the Shema prayer, and accept the yoke of Heaven.

He was teaching us that in times of joy, we must not forget our love for our Father in Heaven.

These two reunions are among the most moving stories in the entire Tanach.