It’s one of the most famous coats in history. (It even appears in a Seinfeld episode.)
יִשְׂרָאֵל אָהַב אֶת־יוֹסֵף מִכׇּל־בָּנָיו כִּי־בֶן־זְקֻנִים הוּא לוֹ וְעָשָׂה לוֹ כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים׃
“Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph best of all his sons - he was his “child of old age,” and he had made him a ketonet passim.” (Bereishit 37:3)
What is the ketonet passim? You’re thinking it was the coat of many colors. While that’s how we describe it, what do the words actually mean?
Artscroll translates it as “a fine woolen tunic.” The Jewish Publication Society says it’s “an ornamented tunic.” Koren calls it “a coat with long sleeves.” The Metzudah translation uses the more familiar and popular “long, colorful cloak.” You get the idea. Something we all think is pretty obvious – that Yosef’s coat had many colors – is actually not so simple after all. (Don’t tell the producers of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.)
The classic commentaries present various explanations of the coat. The Midrash adds several layers of interpretation and symbolism. (See HERE for an article summarizing many of the views.) The coat was everything from a simple gift to the forerunner for the priestly garments to a foretelling of the Jewish future.
I believe the story of the “coat of many colors” is a lesson for the generations. It is a timely reminder of the privilege of being Jewish, how that will make us appear different, and differences are no reason to keep us apart.
Yaakov gave Yosef something special, something no other bother had. While this can be understood as favoring Yosef (had he learned nothing from his experiences with his own, brother, Esav?), it also taught Yosef that he possessed unique strengths and responsibilities. Yaakov was instilling in Yosef a sense of mission and purpose. “I see great things in store for you. I present you with this very visible and noticeable symbol of that responsibility.”
Might this cause tension with the other brothers? Of course! Yosef dreams didn’t help either.
Yaakov knew this. The text (37:11) says clearly that Yaakov kept the matter in mind. That didn’t stop him, however, from sending Yosef out in search of his brothers – wearing that colorful coat, the visible reminder of Yosef’s potential that would certainly trigger the brothers.
“Lech na re’eh et sh’lom achecha – Please go and check on the wellbeing of your brothers.” (37:14) Yaakov tells Yosef, “They may dislike you, but you still have to encounter them and be concerned for their wellbeing.” Yosef’s future wasn’t to keep to himself. His future was to lead by engaging with his brothers – disagreements and all. There was no avoiding that fate regardless of the potential for danger.
And Yosef took on the assignment. “Hineni – Here I am.” (37:13) Yosef doesn’t hesitate to accept the mission. Even when he gets lost – an opportunity to return home saying he would love to find the brothers but couldn’t, he seeks help from the mysterious man on the road. “Et achai anochi mevakeish – I am seeking out my brothers.” (37:16) With these words, Yosef accepts his ultimate mission – not only to fulfill Yaakov’s request to locate the brothers. Yosef is ready to engage his brothers in full “coat of many colors” regalia. They may not want to see him; but Yosef is committed to find them.
One creative way of interpreting Yosef’s response to the mystery man is “Et achai – I am looking for my brothers” because “anochi mevakeish – that is the only way I can find my true self.”
We know how the story plays out. Yosef finds his brothers. They are, indeed, triggered. They tear off his coat because they do not understand or appreciate the role that Yosef is mean to fill in modeling leadership, compassion, and responsibility for all. Yosef ends up in Egypt, yadda, yadda, yadda…
The coat of many colors remains relevant in our role as Jews today. There is no avoiding the fact that we stand out. It’s a privilege. This may attract unwanted attention and cause strife with outsiders – and even fellow Jews. Like Yosef, we need to find the passion and determination to wear our colorful coats out into the world in search of a way to connect to all of our brothers and sisters – whether we agree or disagree - and live lives of mission and purpose that will enlighten the world.
That’s quite a coat.
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