The Land of the Hebrews

… for I have been stolen from the Land of the Hebrews.                                 Genesis 40:15

          In his plea to enlist the aid of the royal butler in securing his release from prison, Joseph informed the butler that he had been kidnapped from the Land of the Hebrews.

          Rabbi Yonatan Eybschutz [Yaarot Dvash, Drush 14] explains why Joseph found it necessary to mention his kidnapping from the Land of the Hebrews, apparently against his own interest, since the Egyptians despised the Hebrews to the point of being unwilling to sit at the same table as them. [Genesis 43:32]

          In this statement, Joseph expressed his true motivation for requesting parole: his understanding that he could realize himself only in the Land of Israel. One can maximize his potential and achieve the highest level of personal perfection only through clinging to God. In turn, one who truly wishes to cling to God must ascend to Eretz Yisrael, which is, as it were, God’s abode. Joseph wished to reach his ancestors’ level and become a “throne and chariot for God”, a goal which he could be accomplish only in Eretz Yisrael. Thus, in essence, Joseph is saying: “my goal in requesting release from prison is not to achieve freedom per se, rather to be allowed to return to the Land of the Hebrews, where I can achieve the highest level of self - actualization.”

          Rabbi Yonatan concludes with the following comments: Joseph’s statement demonstrates the extent to which one must desire to ascend to Eretz Yisrael, as the Shila (Rabbi Yehsaya haLevi Horowitz 1558 – 1630) has written, ”one’s heart must always be filled with desire and longing for Eretz Yisrael”. A Jew who resides outside Eretz Yisrael must always understand that he is incomplete. Being outside the Holy Land precludes one from full self - actualization. A Jew abroad must always feel saddened by the fact that the essential aspect of spiritual life is lacking.