Parshas Mikeitz

(The Segulah of Learning Zera Shimshon)

The shevatim leave Yosef to go home, and Yosef sends the person in charge of his house to chase after them and say to them"Lama sheilamtem raah tachas tovah?" "Why did you repay evil for good?"

Instead of asking, "Why did you take the cup," he asked "Why did you repay evil for good?"

The Zera Shimshon explains that he was giving mussar to his brothers. He was saying that they were so jealous of him that they sold him into slavery, but they should have learned from their mothers' relationship! In fact, they exhibited the exact opposite behavior. Rachel shared the simanim with Leah, and she even shared her husband with her as well!

"Where is your gratitude?" Yosef was asking.

Chazal in Bereishis Rabba (84:18) explain that this is hinted to in the phraseology of "You sold the son of Rachel" instead of just saying "You sold Yosef" or "You sold your brother."

Yosef's message to his brothers was that of being kafoi tov (lacking gratitude). They should have had appreciation for what his mother did for theirs instead of just acting on their jealousy.

It is so important to always express appreciation and to make sure your actions mirror it too.

Source: Zera Shimshon Parshas Mikeitz