Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
Thus Joseph became the slave of the idolatrous priest Potiphar, or
Poti-phera, as he was sometimes called.[100] He had secured possession
of the handsome youth for a lewd purpose, but the angel Gabriel
mutilated him in such manner that he could not accomplish it.[101] His
master soon had occasion to notice that Joseph was as pious as he was
beautiful, for whenever he was occupied with his ministrations, he
would whisper a prayer: "O Lord of the world, Thou art my trust, Thou
art my protection. Let me find grace and favor in Thy sight and in the
sight of all that see me, and in the sight of my master Potiphar." When
Potiphar noticed the movement of his lips, he said to Joseph, "Dost
thou purpose to cast a spell upon me?" "Nay," replied the youth, "I am
beseeching God to let me find favor in thine eyes."
His prayer was heard. Potiphar convinced himself that God was with
Joseph. Sometimes he would make a test of Joseph's miraculous powers.
If he brought him a glass of hippocras, he would say, "I would rather
have wine mixed with absinthe," and straightway the spiced wine was
changed into bitter wine. Whatever he desired, he could be sure to get
from Joseph, and he saw clearly that God fulfilled the wishes of his
slave. Therefore he put all the keys of his house into his hand, and he
knew not aught that was with him,[102] keeping back nothing from Joseph
but his wife.[103] Seeing that the Shekinah rested upon him, Potiphar
treated Joseph not as a slave, but as a member of his family, for he
said, "This youth is not cut out for a slave's work, he is worthy of a
prince's place."[104] Accordingly, he provided instruction for him in
the arts, and ordered him to have better fare than the other
slaves.[105]
Joseph thanked God for his new and happy state. He prayed, "Blessed art
Thou, O Lord, that Thou hast caused me to forget my father's house."
What made his present fortunes so agreeable was that he was removed
from the envy and jealousy of his brethren. He said: "When I was in my
father's house, and he gave me something pretty, my brethren begrudged
me the present, and now, O Lord, I thank Thee that I live amid plenty."
Free from anxieties, he turned his attention to his external
appearance. He painted his eyes, dressed his hair, and aimed to be
elegant in his walk. But God spake to him, saying, "Thy father is
mourning in sackcloth and ashes, while thou dost eat, drink, and dress
thy hair. Therefore I will stir up thy mistress against thee, and thou
shalt be embarrassed."[106] Thus Joseph's secret wish was fulfilled,
that he might be permitted to prove his piety under temptation, as the
piety of his fathers had been tested.[107]
JOSEPH AND ZULEIKA
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account