בראשית, פרק מ״ז, פסוק ו׳

Pharaoh’s enthusiastic reception of Joseph’s family marks a pivotal transition, instantly elevating them from wandering refugees to esteemed residents of the Egyptian empire. He grants Joseph absolute authority to provide for his family and even extends an offer of royal employment. Yet, beneath this warm welcome lies the subtle, sweet beginning of a bitter future. Much like horseradish that tastes sweet at first but leaves a sharp, bitter aftertaste, this initial royal embrace eventually devolves into harsh enslavement [תורה תמימה].

In granting his approval, the king makes it clear that the entire land rests under Joseph's jurisdiction, eliminating any need for special permission to settle his family [מלבי״ם, ביאור יש״ר, שטיינזלץ]. Pharaoh's directive to place his father and brothers in the choicest part of the land, specifically Goshen, raises an interesting question about the nature of this territory. The primary approach among commentators is that Goshen, particularly the region of Rameses, is indeed the most premium real estate in Egypt [אור החיים, רלב״ג, ביאור יש״ר]. Alternatively, Pharaoh is offering them complete freedom of choice: they may select the very best locations in the kingdom, or, if they prefer Goshen specifically for its grazing lands, they are entirely free to settle there [אור החיים, העמק דבר]. Another perspective suggests a division of the family based on their needs. Jacob, an elderly man requiring fresh air and tranquility, is to be settled in the finest residential areas, while his younger sons, whose livelihood depends on herding, are directed to the pastures of Goshen [חזקוני].

Pharaoh also extends an opportunity for the brothers to oversee his own assets, though he frames this offer with careful diplomatic tact. By conditioning the appointment on Joseph's knowledge and discretion, the king transforms a royal command into an expression of choice. He empowers Joseph to appoint his brothers only if he truly desires to do so, ensuring the offer does not inadvertently offend their honor [הכתב והקבלה]. Furthermore, this phrasing provides Joseph with a graceful escape route; should he wish to keep his brothers out of Egyptian politics, he can simply claim he is unsure if they possess the specific skills required for the role [רש״ר הירש].

The king specifies that the brothers chosen for this task must be highly capable men. Most commentators agree that this does not refer to military warriors, but rather to loyal and successful experts in the art of shepherding, akin to the description of a wise and capable woman [רשב״ם, רש״י, רד״ק, חזקוני, שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם]. However, others suggest that Pharaoh, genuinely impressed by the brothers' imposing physical stature [בכור שור], is indeed looking for men of actual physical might. Such strength was necessary because shepherds had to defend their herds in the wilderness against predators and bandits [חזקוני]. Additionally, since the local culture attributed a divine status to sheep, formidable guards were required to protect these sacred animals at all costs [ריב״א].

The very existence of royal herdsmen presents a striking cultural contradiction. It is established that shepherds are considered an abomination to the Egyptians. How, then, can Pharaoh own livestock and appoint royal ministers to oversee them? Several resolutions are offered to reconcile this discrepancy. One approach argues that the royal livestock does not consist of sheep at all, but rather horses, mules, and camels utilized by the king's army, making a dedicated minister a natural necessity [אבן עזרא, הטור הארוך, חזקוני, אבי עזר]. Another view clarifies that the cultural taboo only applied to raising sheep for slaughter and consumption; breeding them for their wool or milk was entirely acceptable and even encouraged [ביאור יש״ר, משכיל לדוד, שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, it is suggested that precisely because sheep were revered as deities, tending to the king's personal flocks was not a despised task, but rather a role of supreme honor and religious importance [דברי דוד]. Finally, a historical perspective proposes that the ruling Pharaoh was not actually a native Egyptian, but rather a descendant of a foreign dynasty of invading shepherd kings. Consequently, he maintained his own herds of cattle and sheep, acting in direct defiance of native Egyptian customs [שד״ל, מחוקקי יהודה].