What does the Torah mean when it says, "va'Yafog Libo"?
Rashi and Rashbam: Literally, it means that his heart moved away 1 from believing what his sons told him.
Ramban: It means that his heart stopped beating 2 - he actually fell on the ground in a faint.
Seforno: His heartbeat and breath slowed down. 3
Rashi: As we find in the verse "me'Ein Hafugos" (Eichah 3:49). Also refer to 45:26:1.1.
Due to the sudden good news that he had just received.
Why does it say, "va'Yagidu Lo"?
Ohr ha'Chayim: "Va'Yagidu" implies difficulty. (a) It was hard for them to say these matters, for in the end their evil will be revealed, what they did and the pain and crying that they caused to their father. (b) Their tidings caused the descent to Egypt and the harsh servitude that embittered the lives of Yisrael in Egypt. We find that Yaakov feared to descend, until Hashem told him, "Do not fear to descend to Egypt" (46:3).
Ha'amek Davar: "Hagadah" implies a proper explanation. Before they informed him that Yosef is alive, they showed him matters that demonstrate this, so [the tidings] would not come to him suddenly. With Chochmah, they showed signs until it was difficult for Yaakov to understand, and they told him.
Why does it say, "Leimor"?
Ohr ha'Chayim #1: This teaches that they were wise to avert the danger of sudden good news that comes to a depressed person. First they said that they have good news, to gladden him; and afterwards they said that Yosef is alive.
Ohr ha'Chayim #2: "Leimor Od" - They said that Binyamin and Shimon returned, and there is something else to tell him. After he prepared himself for good news, they told him that Yosef is alive.
Why didn't Yaakov believe them?
Bereishis Rabah 94:25: A liar is not believed even when he tells the truth. (They previously lied about finding Yosef's robe (37:31-32). 1 )
Alshich: He did not believe that he [ruled over Egypt, yet he] was still Chai, i.e. a Tzadik.
Ohr Yechezkel, Darchei ha'Avodah (p. 220): Yaakov's Midah was Emes. He could not hear things from people who do not say Emes. (Why did he not believe Binyamin, who never lied? R. Efrayim inferred from here that Binyamin did not return with his brothers! Refer to 43:9:151:3).
Rashi (37:33) writes that Hashem was part of the Cherem not to tell Yaakov. Who permitted it?
Moshav Zekenim: Binyamin told Yaakov first. He was not part of the sale.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'V'Chi Hu Moshel' - And that (va'Asher) he rules [over Mitzrayim]." What is Rashi explaining?
Gur Aryeh: The word Ki has four possible meanings. 1 One of these is 'Im,' which at times means 'Asher' - 'that.'
See Rosh Hashanah 3a.
Rashi writes: "'Va'Yafog Libo' - His heart faded away, not believing it; he paid the words no heed." What does the word "va'Yafog" mean?
Gur Aryeh: The meaning is the same as in the word "Fugas" (Eichah 2:18) - 'change, deviation.' Our Pasuk means, 'their words deviated from his heart [and did not penetrate; i.e.], he did not accept or believe them.'
Ha'amek Davar - The root refers to switching. The verse "Al Titeni Fugas Lach" (Eichah 2:18) means, "do not switch your crying for another [action]." Here, Yaakov's heart switched from moment to moment, like one who is unsure.
