his house into his hand, and he knew not aught that was
with him,[102] keeping back nothing from Joseph but his
wife.[103]
Seeing that the Shekinah rested upon him, Potiphar treated
Joseph not as a slave, but as a member of his family, for he
said, "This youth is not cut out for a slave's work, he is
worthy of a prince's place."[104] Accordingly, he provided
instruction for him in the arts, and ordered him to have
better fare than the other slaves.[105]

Joseph thanked God for his new and happy state. He
prayed, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord, that Thou hast caused
me to forget my father's house." What made his present
fortunes so agreeable was that he was removed from the
envy and jealousy of his brethren. He said: "When I was
in my father's house, and he gave me something pretty, my
brethren begrudged me the present, and now, O Lord, I
thank Thee that I live amid plenty." Free from anxieties,
he turned his attention to his external appearance. He
painted his eyes, dressed his hair, and aimed to be elegant
in his walk. But God spake to him, saying, "Thy father
is mourning in sackcloth and ashes, while thou dost eat,
drink, and dress thy hair. Therefore I will stir up thy mistress
against thee, and thou shalt be embarrassed."[106] Thus
Joseph's secret wish was fulfilled, that he might be permitted
to prove his piety under temptation, as the piety of his
fathers had been tested.[107]


JOSEPH AND ZULEIKA