For Further Iyun
A. In his blessing to Efraim and Menashe, "ha'malach ha'goel...," Yaakov makes reference to a "malach Elokim" who consistently saved him from all "ra" (evil). (See 48:16.)

B. Ha'tachat Elokim Ani?
After Yaakov's death, the brothers beg Yosef to forgive them for their animosity towards him. Yosef assures them that they need not worry, for whereas he is not God, he has neither the responsibility nor the right to punish them. (See 50:15-21.) [This is the simple and standard explanation]. Yet, if we examine those psukim carefully, we may uncover an added dimension to Yosef's response, "ha'tachat Elokim ani?" Let's explain:

When the brothers ask Yosef's forgiveness, they explain that their father instructed them to say as follows (50:17):

"Forgive the offense and guilt of your brothers ... Please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father..."
Immediately thereafter, the brothers suggest their own punishment, that they be slaves to Yosef. Yosef refuses this offer by explaining, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of of God?"

Yosef's answer responds directly to his brothers' comments. First, they ask to be forgiven on account of their being the servants of God. Then, they offer themselves as servants to Yosef. Yosef answers them accordingly: should they become his servants, they will no longer be servants of God. Therefore, Yosef tells his brothers - "ha'tachat Elokim ani?" - should he consider himself a replacement or 'substitute' for God? The brothers must remain God's servants, not the servants of Yosef!

C. "Pakod Yifkod" and Sefer Shmot
An obvious question that arises when studying Parshat Va'ychi is, why didn't Yaakov's family return to Eretz Canaan once the famine ended? One could suggest that although they could and should have returned, they opted instead for the 'good life' in Eretz Mitzrayim (see story of Avraham and Lot, 13:4-14). One could even suggest that their enslavement in Egypt was a punishment for this 'un-Zionistic' attitude.

Nevertheless, it seems as though Bnei Yisrael felt it their Divine destiny to stay in Egypt. This conception most likely evolved as a result of God's promise to Yaakov prior to his departure to Egypt: "Do not fear going down to Egypt, for you will become a great nation there. I will go down with you, and I will bring you back..." (46:3-4).

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