Vayigash

The passuk states that Yosef commanded the brothers, “אל תרגזו בדרך.” What does תרגזו mean, and what did Yosef warn the brothers about?

Rashi explains Yosef was afraid that the brothers who were embarrassed about the whole episode, might fight on the way back with each other about the sale. They may claim and say, “Because of you Yosef was sold, you spoke lashon hara and caused us to hate him.” Yosef warned them don’t get into arguments.  אל תרגזוmeans don’t fight.

The Baal HaTurim says that some explain that Yosef said to the brothers that when your travel back on the road, don’t walk on a planted field to make a shortcut or for the convenience of your trip. Do not rely on me to say “our brother is the leader in Mitzrayim” and feel free to do anything improper to people. Yosef warned the brothers don’t make people upset. תרגזו means anger.

The Ramban explains Yosef told the brothers that they should not be afraid of traveling with wagonloads of food and provisions during the famine, while there is a shortage. Don’t worry about someone starting up with you, that he might want to steal from you. And when you will return with all of your possessions, you certainly might be afraid of thieves trying to rob you. If so, you may procrastinate and take time to return with our father, Yaakov. Rather, travel there and back quickly, since you have my name (fame) on you. Everyone knows good and well that Yosef is the ruler in Mitzrayim and all the lives of all the lands are in his hand. Because of this fear everyone will be scared to start up and you will be able to go and return in peace. תרגזו means as moving and shaking from fear.

Rashi explains Yosef warned the brothers don’t be involved in a dvar halacha so that you won’t need to think about it and be seriously involved to have to check out different possibilities. You won’t pay attention to the direction of travel and you might make a mistake. Rashi on the Gemara explains תרגזו as wander off the path. The Maharsha adds that by delving into the Torah deeply, this will cause the trip to take longer. Sifsei Chachamim says that Yosef specifically mentioned to not delve into the sugya in halacha and possibly become intensely involved; however, he certainly did not tell them not to learn. This is as Raboseinu say: when two people travel on the road and there is no Torah learned between them, they are fitting to be burned. The Gemara says this is derived from the passuk which states, “ויהי המה הלכים הלוך ודבר והנה רכב אש וסוסי אש ויפרדו בין שניהם, and behold they were traveling on the road and were going and speaking, and behold a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and there was a separation made between them.” If not for them speaking divrei Torah they would have been burned. The Gemara explains that one should not delve in but one should say over divrei Torah.

Tosfos brings b’shem the Midrash the exact opposite: Yosef said, “don’t stop learning a dvar halacha.” This seems that the Torah will protect them during their travels.

HaRav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg zatzal said that when one closes the Gemara and leaves the Bais Midrash, he should take provisions for the way. Meaning, take a question or an idea to think about. This way a person will always be connected to Hashem and have protection wherever he is.

Let us think about and say over divrei Torah, both in the Bais Midrash and wherever we go.