Yosef’s Shortened Life

We learn from the Torah that all of Yosef’s brothers lived at least 120 years. Levi lived the longest at 137 years. Yosef, himself, was the exception as he lived to “only” 110.

The explanation for Yosef’s reduced lifespan was that he was involved with “Rabbanut.” This term refers to his having been in a position of leadership.

The תורה תמימה explains exactly what Yosef’s deficiency was. Because of his position, he allowed his brothers to refer to their father, Yakov, as עבדך אבי, “your servant, my father,” ten times, without Yosef protesting. In actuality, it was said five times, but five more times were added, when repeated by the interpreter.

It was a mistake on Yosef’s part, even though he was trying to show his brothers that he was a tough ruler, to allow his own father to be referred to as “his servant.”

For these ten utterances, Yosef lost ten years of his life. This mistake came about because he involved himself with “Rabbanut.”