Passover תרנ”ה-תרנ”ו 15
בפסוק ויקח משה כו’ עצמות יוסף עמו כו’ השבע השביע.
“In the verse: ‘And Moses took … the bones of Joseph with him … he surely made them swear.’”
The Sefat Emet opens by noting the Torah’s emphasis on Moses taking Joseph’s bones, linking it to Joseph’s oath.
יוסף הצדיק הי’ המכין לבנ”י במצרים שהכניס עצמו בגלות מצרים להיות הכנה לבנ”י בגלות.
“Joseph the righteous prepared the Children of Israel in Egypt by placing himself into the Egyptian exile in order to serve as a preparation for them in exile.”
Joseph willingly entered exile so that Israel would have a spiritual foundation and guidance during their own exile.
ולכן זכה להיות לו עלי’ ביצ”מ.
“Therefore he merited an elevation at the Exodus from Egypt.”
Because he devoted himself to helping Israel in exile, Joseph was raised to a higher spiritual level during the redemption.
כידוע כי מדריגת מרע”ה למעלה.
“As is known, Moses’ level is higher.”
Although Moses was spiritually superior, Joseph’s merit granted him elevation even alongside Moses.
וכ’ עמו במחיצתו.
“And it says: ‘with him, in his domain.’”
This hints that Joseph was raised to be in Moses’ spiritual proximity during the redemption.
ולפי שביטל עצמו לכלל ישראל כמ”ש השבע השביע להיות קשור בכלל ישראל.
“And since he nullified himself to the community of Israel, as it says ‘he surely made them swear,’ in order to be bound to the collective of Israel.”
Joseph’s total self‑submission to the nation—symbolized by the oath he imposed—linked him inseparably to Israel’s destiny.
וכ’ ושם דרך אראנו בישע אלקים דרשו חז”ל המדליק נרות במבואות האפלים.
“And as it says: ‘And he who sets a path, I will show him the salvation of God’; the Sages interpret this as: one who lights lamps in dark alleys.”
This midrash describes someone who brings light into darkness—Joseph’s role in sustaining Israel spiritually in the darkness of Egypt.
וזה נתקיים ביוסף ולכן נתעלה ביצ”מ.
“This was fulfilled in Joseph, and therefore he was elevated in the Exodus.”
Joseph illuminated the darkness of exile, and thus merited heightened elevation at the moment of redemption.
וכן הבטיח הקב”ה ליעקב אעלך גם עלה ויוסף ישית ידו על עיניך.
“And so God promised Jacob: ‘I will surely bring you up, and Joseph will place his hand upon your eyes.’”
This promise shows that Joseph’s spiritual power would rise to Jacob’s own level and guide the transition from exile to redemption.
שיתעלה כחו למדריגת יעקב.
“That his power would be elevated to the level of Jacob.”
Joseph’s spiritual influence would ascend to match the patriarch Jacob’s stature.
והנה שורש הגלות והגאולה הכל במדריגת יוסף הצדיק.
“Behold, the root of exile and redemption both lie in the spiritual level of Joseph the righteous.”
The Sefat Emet teaches that Joseph embodies the forces that initiate both exile and redemption.
בתחילת הגלות כתיב אשר לא ידע את יוסף.
“At the beginning of the exile it is written: ‘Who did not know Joseph.’”
The exile begins when Joseph’s influence is forgotten or denied.
ובגאולה כתיב ויקח משה את עצמות יוסף.
“And in the redemption it is written: ‘And Moses took the bones of Joseph.’”
Redemption begins when Joseph is remembered and brought forth, symbolically restoring his spiritual influence.
Summary: Joseph voluntarily entered exile to prepare Israel spiritually; therefore he was elevated during the Exodus, even into Moses’ spiritual domain. Joseph’s self‑nullification to the collective of Israel and his role as one who brings light into darkness made him the root of both exile and redemption: exile begins when Joseph is forgotten, and redemption begins when he is brought forth.
