What exactly, did Yaakov see in Egypt?
Rashi: He saw in an (unclear) vision that there was hope 1 in Egypt.
Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim: In his house, he saw [with Ru'ach ha'Kodesh] what his sons, who went in and out, did not see (that there is grain in Egypt).
Ha'amek Davar: Through investigation, he heard; it was not publicized. The term 'Re'iyah' in Tanach often refers to understanding.
As if the dot was on the left-hand side, to read 'Sever' (as in Tehilim 146:6). This referred to Yosef, who was still alive.
What is the meaning of "Lamah Tisra'u"?
Rashi #1: Why do you show yourselves to the Bnei Yishmael and the Bnei Esav 1 (i.e. convey the impression) that you are satiated (by not going down to Egypt to buy food)? 2
Rashi #2: Why should everybody look at you, and wonder why you are not going to purchase food, before there is nothing left?
Rashi #3: Why do you make yourselves weak with hunger?
Ramban: Why can you still be seen here? Seeing as grain is available in Egypt, why haven't you gone there before we run out of food, so that "we should live and not die" 3 (42:2)?
Seforno: Why do you look one at the other, in the hope that he will go down to Egypt? 4
Rashbam: Why do you boast by showing everybody that you have sufficient grain, when everyone else is going to Egypt to buy food?
Targum Yonasan: Why are you afraid to go down to Egypt?
Hadar Zekenim: It is an expression of quarrels. When there is no food in the house, there is strife (Bava Metzia 59a).
Oznayim la'Torah: ''Why are you looking at one another?' Yaakov saw grain and something good in Egypt - but the brothers saw something else. They saw the journey down to Egypt as a huge accusation (leveled against them) for having sold their brother to be taken along that very same route to be sold as a slave - and they looked at one another in consternation.
Malbim: We find that the Hispa'el of "Re'u" only regarding two sides showing their military strength against each other. Also here, why do you establish yourselves as if you are not afraid of poverty and [if you do not go to Egypt to buy now, later you will need] to buy from where it is expensive?
See Ramban.
Because at that time they still had food (Rashi).
According to Rashi, this is a second reason why they ought to go down to Egypt. The Seforno explains that to mean that, even though it will not suffice to satisfy our needs, at least it will enough for our basic livelihood, and we will not die.
Seforno: As the Gemara states in Eruvin 3a 'A pot belonging to partners is neither hot nor cold!' (A job that needs to be done by partners never gets done).
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Lamah Tisra'u?' - Why do you display yourselves....?" [In this segment,] how does Rashi explain the word "Tisra'u"?
Mizrachi: Tisra'u comes from "Reviyah" - satiation. 1
Gur Aryeh: Tisra'u is the verb "Re'iyah" - seeing, in reflexive 2 (Hispa'el) form - i.e. to show oneself before others.
Rashi writes: "Why do you display yourselves to be satiated, before the children of Yishmael and Esav?" Why mention these nations, and not the Canaanites, who lived nearby?
Gur Aryeh: The children of Esav and Yishmael were kinsmen, and were likely to demand support, as in the verse "[you shall help] your brother to live along with you" (Vayikra 25:36). The Canaanites did not have such a claim.
Rashi writes that Tisra'u is weakening via hunger, as in the verse, "u'Marveh Gam Hu Yoreh" (Mishlei 11:25). What does Rashi mean in citing this verse?
Mizrachi, Moshav Zekenim: "Yoreh" in this verse means "satiation"! We find many words, for which a related form means oppositely. E.g. "Tashresh Sharashe'ha" (Tehilim 80:10) is to remove Shorashim (roots). "V'Dishenu" (Bamidbar 4:13) is to remove Deshen (ashes - Riva). Rashi returns to bring this support for his initial explanation (refer to 42:1:2.1:1). 1
Gur Aryeh: "Yoreh" in the verse in Mishlei means "leanness;" this supports Rashi's second approach. The verse in Mishlei means, "he will even satiate the lean."
Gur Aryeh cites this approach as well. Although he does not cite Mizrachi directly, it seems he is giving that approach, before offering his own. (EK)
Rashi writes that "Tisra'u" is weakening via hunger, as in the verse, "u'Marveh Gam Hu Yoreh" (Mishlei 11:25). The Aleph in Tisra'u is not in place of a Vav. It is not as if it says Tisravu!
Mizrachi: In many places, Vav and Aleph are interchanged.
