Clothes make the person |
After Pharaoh chose Yosef to be
second in command we read (Breisheet 41:42) “Pharaoh then took off his ring
from his hand and he placed it on Yosef’s hand. He dressed him in linen (shesh)
garments and put a gold chain (revid) around his neck.” Rashi comments that the giving of
the king’s ring is a sign for the one to whom it is given that he is to be
second in command to him. Ramban adds that the king’s ring
contains his seal (as we see as well in Megillat Ester 8:8). The king gave
Yosef his seal so that he should be a leader and a commander of the entire
government and seal with the king’s ring whatever he desires. Rashi also points out that linen
garments are considered very valuable in Egypt. Chizkuni adds that only kings and
important people wore this type of linen in Egypt. Rashbam mentions that Yechezkel 27:7
states in reference to Tyre’s beauty: “Of embroidered Egyptian linen was your
sail”. In Eshet Chayil, Woman of Valor
(Mishlei 31:22), which is recited each Friday night we read “Marvadim astah
lah, shesh v’argaman levusha”, “She makes herself coverlets, her clothing is
fine linen and purple”. The same terminology that describes
what Yosef wore when he became second in command to Pharaoh is used by King
Solomon to describe the way that the accomplished woman dressed. We learn from here the level of
respect that the woman was given at the time of the First Beit HaMikdash
(Temple). She had a spouse, children, a household to run and a few careers yet
she was dressed in beautiful garments. This can be compared to Yosef who
commanded a presence wearing royal garments while taking care of Egypt and
beyond, making sure that everyone was provided for. |