What was Joseph’s reward for his deed? ‌

Dear Respected Rabbi, Shalom! We see in the revered Scriptures noble Joseph (Son of Patriarch Jacob) after his elevation in Egypt being gracious to his erstwhile unfair, envious and cruel Elder Brothers. Was he likewise after his elevation gracious towards Potiphar and his wife who had treated him wrongly. Do the revered Jewish Bible commentaries throw light on this subject. Thanks for your patient guidance for many years now. Blessings, Suresh Manoharan Hyderabad -India

Thank you for yor question.

 apologise for the delay. I have been searching for an answer in both ancient and modern texts.

I could not find a discussion on Joseph's reward for his behaviour. However, based on my reading, it seems that Joseph's reward was his rise to power in Egypt, then a formidable empire, despite having arrived there as a lowly slave from abroad.

The essence of power lies in both glory and honor, as well as selfless giving to the subjects without expecting personal gain.

While a king could hoard all the wealth for himself, such behavior would characterize him as a dictator. A true king, however, willingly distributes his own wealth if it contributes to the well-being of his people, without concern for personal loss.

A parallel concept is evident in the case of Joseph's brother, Judah. His descendants became kings because he admitted to his fault, thereby saving Tamar from death. A person who is prepared to endure suffering for others is deemed suitable to be a king.

Source:  Bereshit  49:8, Targum Onkelos

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