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In this shiur, we analyze when Joseph accuses his brothers of spying (מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם), debating the meaning of "the nakedness of the land" (עֶרְוַת הָאָרֶץ) and Joseph's motives. Various commentaries offer interpretations of Joseph's accusation, ranging from a test of his brothers' character to a strategic maneuver to reunite his family. The interpretations explore the literary techniques employed and the potential symbolic connections to Joseph's own traumatic experiences with slavery and dispossession. The debate centers on whether Joseph's accusation was literal or metaphorical, reflecting the ambiguity of the original text.
