After many years of separation, Yosef and his brothers reunite, they don't recognize Yosef and aren't aware of the reunion. Yosef has a plan as to how he will reveal himself and part of it is framing his younger brother Binyamin by making it appear Binyamin is a thief and throwing him in prison. Yehudah, one of the older brothers, takes the lead in attempting to negotiate with Yosef for Binyamin's release.
Through out history Jews have often been wrongfully accused and persecuted for crimes they did not commit, but in 1913 Judaism itself went on trial. Rabbi Tzvi Ortner told me the following story.
Accused of a blood libel, Mendel Beilis, a Russian Jew from Kiev was brought on trial. The antisemitic policies of the Russian Empire were brought to light and the trial sparked international criticism. Jews from around the world showed thier support, every type of Jew contributed to his defense.
A key witness for the defense, Rabbi Mazah was asked a particularly difficult question. The prosecution asked, why are Jews refferd to as Adam, (Man or person) and Non-Jews are refferd to as Ish (also man or person)? Why is their a distinction?
Rabbi Mazah answered, Adam the hebrew word for Human applies to Jews because it is the only word refering to people that can not be made plural. The Jewish people are one unit, when one Jew is in trouble they all come to assist him or her. Just like in this trial Jews from all over the world and of every diffrent view point have come to help out this Jew.
In times of trial and tribulation Jews of all kinds come together. Yehudah goes as far as to offer himself as a prisoner in return for his brother, Binyamin. This type of achdus (brotherhood) is what has allowed the Jewish people to survive for 2,000 years in exile, and is key for the Jewish people's future survival.
Napoleon once asked Rav Chiam Volozhin, who is going to win the war? The Rav told him that the Russians will. Napoleon asked him, Why? Rav Chiam said because Napoleon's army is a conglomeration of different forces and they are motivated by money, The Russians are not as skilled or equipped, but they were born together, they grew up together and they are fighting for there homeland, they are fighting for each other.
Through out history Jews have often been wrongfully accused and persecuted for crimes they did not commit, but in 1913 Judaism itself went on trial. Rabbi Tzvi Ortner told me the following story.
Accused of a blood libel, Mendel Beilis, a Russian Jew from Kiev was brought on trial. The antisemitic policies of the Russian Empire were brought to light and the trial sparked international criticism. Jews from around the world showed thier support, every type of Jew contributed to his defense.
A key witness for the defense, Rabbi Mazah was asked a particularly difficult question. The prosecution asked, why are Jews refferd to as Adam, (Man or person) and Non-Jews are refferd to as Ish (also man or person)? Why is their a distinction?
Rabbi Mazah answered, Adam the hebrew word for Human applies to Jews because it is the only word refering to people that can not be made plural. The Jewish people are one unit, when one Jew is in trouble they all come to assist him or her. Just like in this trial Jews from all over the world and of every diffrent view point have come to help out this Jew.
In times of trial and tribulation Jews of all kinds come together. Yehudah goes as far as to offer himself as a prisoner in return for his brother, Binyamin. This type of achdus (brotherhood) is what has allowed the Jewish people to survive for 2,000 years in exile, and is key for the Jewish people's future survival.
Napoleon once asked Rav Chiam Volozhin, who is going to win the war? The Rav told him that the Russians will. Napoleon asked him, Why? Rav Chiam said because Napoleon's army is a conglomeration of different forces and they are motivated by money, The Russians are not as skilled or equipped, but they were born together, they grew up together and they are fighting for there homeland, they are fighting for each other.
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