Parshat Vayigash
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha that Yosef reveals his identity to his brothers, and they respond in shock. The pasuk tells us (Chapter 45, Pasuk 3), V'Lo Yachlu Echav La'anos Oso Ki Nivhalu Mipanav. The brothers were not able to respond to him, for they were shocked from his face. Rashi explains that this shock was a result of their being embarrassed from him. But why does the Torah use the word Mipanav, which literally means his face?
Rav Tzadok in parshat Bereishis brings the words of the Tikunei Zohar which teaches that the word Bereishis can be understood as combination of the two words, Yare Boshes; fear from embarrassment (the word Boshes without the vav). He explains that there are different levels of fearing Gd. The most basic one is Yiras Onesh, fear of being punished. This is a basic, low level shared by everyone, and not the purpose of creation. Yare Boshes, fear based on being embarrassed before Hashem, though, is a fundamental of creation and this is why Yare Boshes comprises the letters for the word Bereishis.
The Gemara in Yevamos 79A teaches that there are three signs for Bnei Yisrael, they are Rachmanim, Bayshanim, and Gomlei Chasadim; compassionate, have a sense of embarrassment, and do acts of kindness. The Gemara teaches that the source for Bayshanim is from a pasuk in parshat Yisro after Matan Torah which states (Chapter 20, Pasuk 17), Ba'avur Tihyeh Yiraso al Pneichem, L'Vilti Secheta'u. The Gemara in Nedarim 20A teaches on the words Ba'avur Tihyeh Yiraso al Pneichem, Zu Bushah. L'Vilti Secheta'u, Melamed She'Mevi'ah Bushah Lidei Yiras Cheit.
We learn from here two important principles. Firstly, we see that Bnei Yisrael received the midah of Bushah from Ma'amad Har Sinai. As a result of us witnessing Hashem reveal Himself to us at Har Sinai, we have this trait of being embarrassed to sin before Hashem. And secondly, it is a trait which relates to the face; Bushah is typically referred to as Boshes Panim. Our seeing and witnessing the giving of the Torah impacted us in a way that we can't visualize Hashem in our lives and not be embarrassed about doing an aveirah.
The opposite of Boshes Panim is the midah of Azus Panim. Azus Panim is typically explained as arrogance, someone who can look another person in the face and not be swayed by that person's presence. He will lie or be rude directly to another person's face. And the Gemara in Nedarim also teaches Kol Mi She'Eiyn Lo Boshes Panim Be'Yadu'a Shelo Amdu Avosav B'Har Sinai; Anyone who doesn't have Boshes Panim is an indication that his forefathers did not stand at Har Sinai. And someone who has Boshes Panim for Hashem can't act in an arrogant manner towards another person as well.
We see from this that Yare Boshes is a unique trait of Bnei Yisrael which was acquired at Har Sinai. And that the fact that it comprises the letters of the word Bereishis shows it's a fundamental of creation. This is also seen from the pasuk in Tehillim (Chapter 111, Pasuk 10), Reishis Chachmah Yiras Hashem. True fear of Hashem is Reishis; it's a fundamental of creation.
This is why the Torah states regarding the brothers of Yosef, Nivhalu Minpanav. Their level of Boshes Panim didn't allow them to look directly at their brother in the face. Having sinned towards him and sold him didn't allow them to look at his face.
And Chazal teach on this pasuk in the Medrash Rabbah (93,11) Oy Lanu M’Yom HaDin, Oy Lanu M’Yom HaTochecha. Woe to us on the day of judgment. If the brothers couldn't look at their brother of flesh and blood in the face, how will we be able to stand before Hashem on the day of judgment? If sinning before their brother caused them embarrassment, certainly the midah of Yare Boshes will cause Bnei Yisrael to be embarrassed before Hashem on the day of judgment.
Good Shabbos
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