CHECKING OUT THE TERRITORY

By Rabbi Joshua (Practically known as the Hoffer) Hoffman

The Torah tells us that as Yaakov and his family approached Egypt, he sent Yehudah ahead of him to Yosef, to instruct ahead of him to Goshen (Bereishis 46:28). Rashi says that the simple meaning of this verse is as the Targum translates it, that Yaakov sent Yehudah ahead to clear a place in Goshen where they could settle. Rashi then cites a Midrash, which says that Yaakov sent Yehudah ahead to Goshen to establish a house of study there, from which instruction will be given to Yisroel.

Two questions arise in regards to this Midrash. Firstly, the word for instruction used by the Midrash is “hora’ah,” which usually means the issuing of halachic ruling. Why was it specifically this kind of Yeshiva, that would issue rulings in practical matters, that would serve the needs of the Jewish people in Goshen? Secondly, why did Yaakov specifically choose Yehudah to set up this Yeshiva?

We have noted, in the past, the comment of Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky in regard to the Midrash, which says that Yaakov learned Torah in the Yeshivah of Ever before finally leaving Eretz Yisroel and going to the house of Lavan. Surely, asks Rav Kaminetsky, Yaakov had already learned a great deal of Torah, for many years, in his father’s house, before he needed to flee from Eisav. How would an additional fourteen years of study prepare him any more for dealing with his new home with Lavan? Rav Kaminetsky answers that the Torah taught in the Yeshiva of Ever was the Torah that deals with the challenges of golus - living outside of Eretz Yisroel – and these challenges are different from those that one faces in Eretz Yisroel itself.

With this comment of Rav Kaminetsky in mind, I believe we can answer our questions in regard to the Midrash cited by Rashi. Yaakov, understanding that his family would be facing new challenges in Goshen, sent Yehudah ahead to establish a house of study that would teach them how to approach these challenges. A major cause for problems that Jews have always faced in exile has been a lack of unity among themselves. This was part of Haman’s argument to Ahashveirosh to let him destroy the Jewish people, saying that they are a scattered and divided people. One thing that unites all Jews, however, no matter what their political or philosophical views may be, is the halacha. The obligation to recite the Shema, for example, applies to Jews of all outlooks. When an authoritative voice issues halachic rulings, the unity that results helps strengthen the Jewish people and enables them to face the vicissitudes of golus. That is why Yaakov told Yehudah, specifically, to establish in Goshen a Yeshiva from which halachic rulings would be issued.

Why was it Yehudah who was chosen to set up this Yeshiva in Goshen? Yehudah was one who acted in a way that led to practical results. He was the one who convinced Yaakov to let the brothers take Binyomin down to Egypt with them. And more importantly, who brought Yosef, the viceroy of Egypt, to release Binyomin from the threat of slavery and finally reveal his true identity. This ability of Yehudah to deal in a practical manner with the problems that arise in golus moved Yaakov to choose him to establish a Yeshiva that would issue practical halachic rulings to the Jews in Goshen.