Watch What You Say!

Parsha Points- Miketz 5770   Watch What You Say!   In Parshat Miketz 42:21-22 when Yosef was still concealing his identity and accusing his brothers of being spies we read: “Then they (Yosef’s brothers) said to one another, “Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother inasmuch as we saw his  heartfelt anguish when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has come upon us.” Reuven spoke up to them saying, “Did I not speak to you saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ but you would not listen! And his blood as well-behold!-is being avenged!”   The brothers were now feeling guilty for having sold Yosef and they felt that they were now finally being punished for their crime. Reuven especially felt responsible especially since he assumed that Yosef did not survive the ordeal of being sold as a slave.   Breisheet 42:23-24 continues “Now they did not know that Yosef understood, for an interpreter was between them. He turned away from them and wept…”   Yosef understood everything that his brothers said but he had the interpreter there to make it seem that he did not know Hebrew.   The brothers didn’t realize that Yosef understood and they let down their guard.   According to Rashi, Yosef turned away and cried because he didn’t want his brothers to know that he understood and also because he saw that they finally did Tshuva for having sold him.   We see from here that we should be very careful with what they say (even if it is in another language) because you never know who may be listening and who may understand what you are saying.