Kommentar zu Bereschit 46:29

ויאסר יוסף מרכבתו AND JOSEPH MADE READY (literally, bound, harnessed) HIS CHARIOT — He himself harnessed the horses to the chariot being eager to show honour to his father (Genesis Rabbah 95:8; Mechilta to בשלח).

AND HE APPEARED BEFORE HIM. Joseph appeared before his father. And he wept on his neck a good while. The phrase vayeivk od signifies “weeping copiously.” Jacob, however, did not fall upon the neck of his son Joseph, nor did he kiss him. Our Rabbis said that this was because he was reciting the Shema, (the affirmation of G-d’s Unity). This is the language of Rashi. But [according to this interpretation, which says that it was Joseph who fell on his father’s neck and wept], I know of no reason for the statement, And he appeared before him, since it is understood that Joseph appeared before Jacob since he fell upon his neck. Moreover, it is not respectful for Joseph to fall upon his father’s neck. He should rather bow before him or kiss his hands, as it is written, And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he fell down on his face.²²¹Further, 48:12. And at the present moment, it was more fitting that he bow to him [than at the time referred to in the aforementioned verse].²²¹Further, 48:12. So also, every term ‘od’ in Scripture indicates an addition to the original but does not imply copiousness. Thus: He doth not set a stated time ‘od’ for a man,²²²Job 34:23. which means, “He sets a stated time for a man in accordance with his transgression, and nothing is added.”²²³We thus see that od can refer to a slight increase.
The correct interpretation appears to me to be that Israel’s eyes were already slightly dim from age,²²⁴See further, 48:10. and when Joseph arrived in the carriage of the second in rank,²²⁵Above, 42, 43. with a mitre on his head as was the custom of the Egyptian kings, his father did not recognize him. His brothers also had not recognized him.²²⁶Ibid., 42:8. Therefore Scripture mentioned that when he appeared before his father, who stared at him and finally recognized him, his father fell on his neck and cried again over him, even as he had continually cried over him to this day when he had not seen him after his disappearance, and then Jacob said, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face.²²⁷Verse 31 here. It is a known matter as to whose tears are more constant: that of an old father who finds his son alive after having despaired of him and having mourned for him, or that of a grown-up son who reigns. Do not be concerned [lest this interpretation be open to question] because Scripture immediately says, And Israel said,²²⁸Verse 30 here. [thus implying that the previous subject is not Israel but Joseph], whereas according to our interpretation Scripture is speaking of Jacob and then mentions his name once again in the following verse. A similar case is found in these verses: And he gathered up all the foods of the seven years, etc.,²²⁹Above, 41:48. [where Joseph is the subject of the verse, and yet Scripture mentions his name in the succeeding verse], And unto Joseph were born two sons.²³⁰Ibid., Verse 50. There are constantly many similar places in the Torah and in the other books of Scripture.

A GOOD WHILE. Much, as it is written (Job 34:23), "He will not require much of a person." [JPS: He has no set time for man.]