In a second attempt to translate the Torah into Greek (after an unsuccessful attempt 61 years earlier), the ruling Greek-Egyptian emperor Ptolemy gathered 72 Torah sages, had them sequestered in 72 separate rooms, and ordered them to each produce a translation. On the 8th of Tevet of the year 3515 from creation (246 BCE) they produced 72 corresponding translations, including identical changes in 13 places (where they each felt that a literal translation would constitute a corruption of the Torah's true meaning). This Greek rendition became known as the Septuagint, "of the seventy" (though later versions that carry this name are not believed to be true to the originals). Greek became a significant second language among Jews as a result of this translation. During Talmudic times, Tevet 8 was observed by some as a fast day, expressing the fear of the detrimental effect of the translation.
Links: The Day Before; Translating Truth; more on translation
Every story the Torah tells you is meant to guide you in your life.
What are you meant to take from the story of Joseph and his brothers?
You already believe that everything is in G-d’s hands. You also trust that all that He does is for the good.
But now you learn more:
Even when your own brothers throw you in a pit and sell you as a slave,
And even if they were somewhat justified, because you were a tattle-taling little brother, to such a degree that they suspected you of plotting against them,
Even then, everything is for the good. Because it is still all in G-d’s hands.
And, even more counter-intuitively, precisely because it all looks so bad, it takes you to a place that a life of perpetual success could never attain.
Don’t mess up your life. But if you do, don’t give up hope.
You can’t wrestle control out of G-d’s hands. Trust in Him, do the best you can, and He will reveal how everything is for the good.