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In the Dungeon
In prison, Yosef's problems were far from over. This
frenzied woman still would not leave him alone. She visited the prison
regularly to weaken his resolve and to tempt him to succumb.
She warned him in explicit terms of the consequences
of his obstinacy. "So you think this is the last of your woes?" she
menaced. "If you don't accede, I will have you bound in iron chains,
bent over and unable to stand upright. I will have you blinded," she
went on and on. Yosef was as firm, unmoved, and unimpressed as ever, still
joyously serving his Maker with love and awe.
Going all out to cajole him to look at her even just
that once, even for a split second, she found herself powerless against the
iron resolve in the wellsprings of his noble soul and never did he mar the
perfection of his purity. Now, is it a wonder that we speak of him as Yosef
Hatzaddik?
Turnabout
Suddenly, there was an astounding turnabout in
Yosef's fortune. After twelve long years, his eyes and soul still absolutely
clean and untarnished, Yosef was hurried from his incarceration. By order of
the king he was hastily groomed, suitably attired, and rushed to the palace
to stand before Pharaoh, mighty King of Egypt.
At dizzying speed, he was raised from wretched
prisoner to the rank of second-in-command of the whole Egyptian Kingdom. The
king's signet ring was placed on his finger; he was arrayed in linen robes
and driven through the capital's streets.
Can you picture the scene in ancient Egypt awaiting
the gala procession and entourage? Crowds of jubilant citizens fill the
streets. The rejoicing is palpable as the throngs begin their chanting. The Midrash
Rabbah (98:18) describes how the daughters of the noblemen peeped out
of their windows and threw their fine jewellery, piece by piece, into his
royal chariot in the hope that this mesmerizingly handsome new viceroy might
chance to look at them.
Throughout all this exotic pomp and pageantry,
Yosef's eyes remained lowered. His self-discipline is timeless. Targum
Yerushalmi tells us how the daughters of the aristocrats exclaimed to one
another in sheer amazement, "Oh, see this pious Yosef who does not
follow his eyes or the temptations of his heart."
Yosef's holy eyes themselves told it all - 100%
innocence, pristine perfection like the clearest, most sparkling diamonds. Chazal
tell us Yaakov's unstinting praise: "My son," he said proudly,
"you did not glance at a single one of those women."
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