No Free Will

The Netivot Shalom has a novel way of explaining the numerous puzzling events of פרשת וישב. He writes that it does not make sense that Yakov Avinu and his sons should act in a way that is so contrary to their nature of being great Tzaddikim.

Starting with Yakov’s error in showing favoritism towards Yosef, there were other behaviors not fitting for this holy family.

Yosef should not have aroused so much jealousy from his brothers, by telling them of his dreams. And the brothers certainly overreacted by thinking of killing him and ultimately selling him. They cruelly dipped his coat in blood and sent it to their father.

Yehuda and Tamar was another story that made no sense. How could Yehuda sink to the low level of paying for the services of a harlot?

The conclusion to all of this, is that Hashem temporarily took away their free will and caused these events to transpire. This was part of the Divine plan of bringing Mashiach and the Geula. If we were not to look at things this way, it would, otherwise, make no sense at all. This is a very interesting explanation of the Netivot Shalom