1)

What made Yosef think that Potifar's wife would care about sinning against Hashem?

1.

Rashi: Because the Bnei No'ach are warned against adultery.

2)

Why did Yosef see fit to first give a logical explanation against having relations with her?

1.

Ramban: Due to the fact that 'Women are light-headed,' and are therefore more prone to sin. 1

2.

Ha'amek Davar: Refer to 39:8:1:2. In the end, these extra words worked against him; refer to 39:18:152:1*.


1

As we learn from the episode with the snake and Chavah.

3)

Why did Yosef add, "v'Chatasi Le'Elokim!"?

1.

Yerushalmi, Pe'ah 1:1: To teach us that Giluy Arayos belongs to the category of sins that are punished in this world but whose main punishment is reserved for the world to come.

2.

Ohr ha'Chayim #1: I would remove myself from the Source of Neshamos.

3.

Ohr ha'Chayim #2: Even if you will say that you will conceal the matter, and my master will not know, and I will not lose my standing - nothing is concealed from Hashem, so I would lose my good situation!

4.

Ha'amek Davar: Do not say that just like I succeed in everything, Potifar will not find out. If I sin against Hashem, He will not make me succeed!

4)

What other reasons did Yosef add to sinning against Hashem?

1.

Ramban: It would be an act of treachery towards his master, who had placed his faith in him. 1

2.

Ohr ha'Chayim: If I sin, I will lose all the good that I attained.

3.

Malbim: Potifar placed his faith in me, and honored me - "there is no one greater in this house than me"! Ha'amek Davar - Even he is not greater than me in this house! How can I deny such good that he did to me?!

4.

Ha'amek Davar (to 39:8): Potifar trusts me, and does not calculate with me. If I sin, which is like theft, he will suspect me also about his property, and demand many calculations from me!

5.

Ha'amek Davar: He will suspect me, which will be bad for me. A man's jealousy about his wife is great!


1

Ramban: The two reasons are in fact, one. As a matter of fact, repaying bad for good (ingratitude) was the very sin of which Adam ha'Rishon was guilty (Refer to 3:12:1:1).

5)

What is meant by, "ba'Asher At Ishto"?

1.

Hadar Zekenim (to 39:6): It means [he has withheld you] in marital matters, but he wants me to serve you [in other matters]. 1


1

It seems that there is a printing mistake, and it should say like this (PF).

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

6)

Rashi writes: "'And I would be sinning unto G-d!' - for Bnei Noach are commanded [to abstain from] forbidden relations." Perhaps Yosef meant that he was supposed to fulfill the Torah (even before it was commanded, as a son of Yaakov)?

1.

Gur Aryeh: When the Avos kept the Torah prior to Matan Torah, without being commanded (Eino Metzuveh, v'Oseh); they received reward for doing so, but to contravene the Torah could not be called a sin. Yosef meant that Arayos of a married woman is certainly a sin, even to his status as a Ben Noach.

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