1/2/98

I suggest the following. The Mishna in Nedarim says that one who makes a neder not to have hanaa from a Mahul is forbidden to derive benefit from a Yisrael, regardless if he is mahul or not; and one who makes a similar neder regarding Areilim is forbidden to goyim regardless of whether they are circumcised or not. So we see that Mahul and Areil do not refer to a physical state only, but to a national identity as well. A Jew by nature is a Mahul, and a Goy is an Areil. Chazal tell us that there are three identifying simanim of Bnei Yisrael. They are Rachmanim, Bayshanim and Gomlei Chasadim. Until this point, Yosef had acted with apparent cruelty to his brothers. The Mitzrim couldn't understand how he could be so cruel to these people. No Rachamim, no chesed, and no sense of shame. When he now reveals his identity to his brothers, they are unconvinced. How can this be a Ben of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov if he behaves contrary to their very nature? So Rashi explains that Yosef called them and spoke to them gently. He showed tremendous concern for their feelings to speak to then quietly without others present so as not to embarrass them. He speaks gently, with compassion and kindness. By this he shows them that he is indeed a MAHUL, he has the midos of Bnei Yisrael.