Parashat Vayigash- The Sacred Tongue
Parashat Vayigash tells the story of Yosef’s revealing his identity to his brothers, who had come to Egypt to purchase grain. Though Yosef immediately recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him, and all along figured that they were dealing with a native Egyptian. Now, Yosef finally reveals himself to his brothers.
The brothers initially could not believe that the Egyptian vizier was actually their younger brother whom they had sold into slavery over twenty years earlier. As part of his effort to convince his brothers, Yosef declares, "And here, your eyes see…that it is my mouth speaking to you" (45:12). Rashi explains this to mean that Yosef spoke to them with "Lashon Ha’kodesh" (literally, "the sacred tongue"), which is generally understood as a reference to the Hebrew language. Yosef pointed to the fact that he spoke fluent Hebrew as proof that he was their brother, as no native Egyptian was familiar with the language spoken by the sons of Yaakob.
Some, however, understood Rashi’s comments differently, as referring not to Hebrew, but rather to refined speech.
It is commonly assumed that what distinguishes man from animal is the capacity of speech, verbal communication. Indeed, a number of Torah sources refer to human beings with the term "Medaber" ("speaker"), as opposed to the animal kingdom, which is called simply "Hai" ("living"). However, scientists have discovered a form of "speech" used even by animals. Birds, dogs and other creatures communicate with members of their own species through various noises. What, then, is the difference between man and animal? Is this simply a quantitative difference, that man uses a richer and more specific vocabulary than animals?
The answer is that man can exercise control over his speech; he does not speak on instinct. No dog has ever criticized another for speaking Lashon Ha’ra (negative speech) about their fellow dog. Neither has a bird been censured for chirping "Nibul Pe" (obscenity). The human being, however, is endowed with the intelligence and discipline required to speak in a refined manner, and to avoid improper and hurtful speech. As such, one who is not careful how he speaks, and talks indiscriminately and on impulse, is really nothing more than an intelligent animal. Such a person fails to utilize the unique quality that characterizes the human being and sets him fundamentally apart from the animal world.
This is what "Lashon Ha’kodesh" – the "sacred tongue" – means. It refers to speech that is carefully weighed and calculated, rather than instinctive and indiscriminate – the kind of speech that makes a person "holy" and distinct from other creatures.
This is what Yosef is telling the brothers. As a young man, he made the mistake of reporting his brothers’ wrongful behavior to their father, thereby arousing their jealousy and ill-will. To one extent or another, he bore responsibility for the tragic events that followed, by not exercising sufficient care in how he spoke. But like all Sadikim, who undergo an intensive process of Teshuba for even minor transgressions, Yosef repented for this mistake. For the next twenty-two years, he focused his attention on correcting this flaw, and ensuring to speak properly.
At this point, when he reveals himself to the brothers, he wants to emphasize that he has learned the lessons of his past. "It is my mouth that speaks to you" – I now speak in a proper, refined, positive manner; I have overcome my past mistakes, and now speak with "Lashon Ha’kodesh" – with a sacred tongue. He tells them that he no longer has the tendency to speak negatively, and has committed himself to speaking in only a refined, dignified and respectful manner.
