These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph, who was seventeen years old, was a shepherd, looking after the flock, together with his brothers, and he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph gave their father a bad account of them. (Genesis 37:2)
Rebbe Natan, the spiritual successor of Rebbe Naḥman of Breslov, offers a Ḥassidic understanding of our verse. Being a shepherd represents leadership, as Moses was "the faithful shepherd of Israel" and as David, king of Israel, was a shepherd. The verse presents Joseph as a seventeen-year old; the gematriya of seventeen is "tov" (good). Thus, the verse hints that Joseph was suited to leadership by virtue "being good to all and being entirely good." Because of his traits of goodness, Joseph was able to see the good even in "the worst of the worst," and he had the ability thereby to bring everyone closer to God. Indeed, a true leader is capable of seeing the good in each and every member of his congregation and can find the means to utilize the good within each one to join the individuals to the collective.

In Rebbe Natan's understanding, the second clause of the verse "he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah," as well hints at Joseph's qualifications as a leader. The sons of Jacob's concubines (though here referred to as Jacob's wives) represent the lower strata of Israel, yet Joseph "lowered himself greatly to their level in order to bring them close." A true leader does not raise himself above his congregation, but finds the way to descend to the level of the lower strata in order to raise them.



In Rebbe Natan's reading, the verse hints at two significant qualities of a faithful shepherd. (David Magence)



Shabbat Shalom!

The Va’ad