THE EVIL STAGE IS SET (VERSE NO. 11 - 14)

      When their plot was finalized, the brethren proceeded to put it into execution. They therefore came to their father and said:ِ
      ``Dear Father! Why don't you trust us with Joseph while we are a well-wisher for him?''

      Jacob did not trust his beloved Joseph to go with them, but they resorted to brotherly affection, and said again:ِ

      ``Let him come with us to-morrow to enjoy himself and play, and we shall take good care of him.''

      Jacob found it not wise to put off the brethren, because if they were driven to open hostility, they could easily harm him in one way or another. He therefore gave reasons for his refusal that, Joseph was not of an age to play with them, and when they were attending to their affairs, a wolf could attack and devour the little boy.

      They rejected the father's idea, for being a strong band of young and well grown men. (BENJAMINE WAS TOO YOUNG TO GO WITH THEM):ِ

      ``How a wolf tears or even touches our brother while we are alive with him, inspite of being a strong band of well grown men!? If so it is better for us to be

lost.''

THE FOE UNDER THE GUISE OF FRIEND!

      Usually an enemy does not appear uncovered and plainly; and the foe under the guise of friend is difficult to be knownِhow can a bird know that the branch upon which he sings sweetly, will one day become a cage for him!?

      The brothers too, concealed their plot under the cover of brotherly affection, so that neither Jacob nor Joseph could openly resist against their request.

      This is what we see to-day, that our enemies come to us in the beautiful forms of economical support, social and cultural help, military advisors, and etc. We sometimes see that the most dangerous spies of our enemy come to our house or land, under the guise of Embassador or supporters of human rights!!

MAN HAS A NATURAL NEED FOR RECREATION

      Worthy of note is that Jacob kept quiet in answer to the request of his sons, to take Joseph for play and enjoyment, and some recreation! This is because no common sense will deny that man has a natural need for recreation, and some diversion after toil. Man is not an iron machine. He has a soul or spirit that gets tired and will suffer from fatigue at the end of journey, a hard work, or a misfortune. The body needs to sleep and have a rest, and the soul too will need some refreshment and peaceful repose.

      Hazrat Imam Ali (AS) has said:ِ ``A believer should have three kinds of hours. In some of his hours he deals with morals and spiritual matters, and worship of his Lord. In the second part of his time, he works for his livelihood, and he also must have some hours in which he applies to lawful pleasures and legal recreation. The latter will support the other two kinds of activities.''

CHILDREN'S DEPENDENCE ON THEIR FATHER

      A father must regard the independence of his children and meanwhile support them so far as they are really in need of their father's help. Therefore, in their upper ages the reliance to father should be reduced, until they are old enough to be independent of their parents. From this motive Jacob let his beloved son to go on the stage of the theatre of life, accompanied by his brothers, though the separation was very distressful. A father must bring up his children so that they can live with self-reliance.