Genesis 41:1 - 44:17; Numbers 7:54 - 8:4
Special Shabbat Hanukkah Haftara, 1 Kings 7:40 -50
12/11/99
2 Tevet, 5760
Focus Passage: Genesis 41:14-16, 37 - 43
Tsarot - Adversity
There is an anthology of religious writings arranged in a paperback book called, The Choice Is Always Ours. It is arranged around the central theme that options exist in every situation in which we find ourselves. The book makes it clear that we are not free to determine what happens to us in terms of events. Many forces converge on our lives over which we have no control. Where we are free is in determining how we will respond to those events. It also acknowledges that such choices are rarely simple or clear-cut. Life as most of us experience is not one thing but many; that is, what we face in a given situation is not always all light or all darkness, total goodness or evil, factors that are going for us and factors that are going against us. Our human freedom is therefore usually exercised in a context of ambiguity, which makes all the more important the reality that surrounds us at any given moment.
The story of Joseph in prison is one such example. Joseph was probably spoiled as a youngster. Doted on by his father and mother, given extra gifts by his parents, including the famous coat of many colors. Joseph, as most youngsters, likely enjoyed telling his brothers that his dreams portrayed them as serving him. The fact that his dreams also included his father serving him added to his conceit. Later, his brothers decide to kill Joseph. As they are about to murder Joseph, they change their minds and decide to sell Joseph to a group of travelers. The travelers in turn sell the young man to Potiphar an aide to the pharaoh of Egypt. Later, Joseph is falsely accused of trying to assault the wife of Potiphar, and is cast into prison. While in prison Joseph correctly interprets the dreams of two fellow prisoners, the baker, and the chief butler, or cupbearer to Pharaoh. The chief butler forgets his promise to Joseph, that or remembering Joseph's talent in interpreting dreams, -until the Pharaoh has a troubling dream.
Pharaoh has dreams that his personal magicians are unable to interpret. The butler, remembering his promise to Joseph. When Joseph is called before the Pharaoh, he appears in the manner of the Egyptians, clean shaven and dressed as an Egyptian. The Bible tells us that the injustice of prison, and years of discouragement had not broken Joseph's spirit. In an alien environment he had lived a life of faith to his G-d. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream with the words: "The Pharaoh's dream was a warning that after seven good years of harvest, he would experience seven years of drought." Joseph makes it known that his interpretation was not done by any means other than what abilities G-d had given to him. Joseph was a vessel through which G-d's wisdom flowed. The words "G-d will answer peace to Pharaoh", was not an assurance of a positive interpretation, but rather that the answer would calm Pharaohs' troubled spirit. The Pharaoh did not question the interpretation, nor did he question Joseph's counsel as to a course of action to be taken.
Joseph, who had already seen high and low points in his life, had been recognized for his potential, for his intelligence and his wisdom. The blessings that Joseph was to see were to be for an individual, and to a future nation. While the magicians in Pharaoh's court, as well as Joseph may have had 'book knowledge', Joseph also possessed edification and discernment. While we do not know the thoughts of Joseph while he was in prison, we might well imagine that he must have had periods of melancholy, and depression. Discouragement that he was put into prison in the first place, discouragement that the cupbearer apparently had forgotten what Joseph had done for the cupbearer. However, Joseph also knew of the healing force of G-d, a "balm in Gilead". G-d was working in his life to develop qualities that would be needed, qualities that could have been discarded by Joseph. The rise to prestige may have seemed slow in Joseph's mind but when the time came, -G-d moved.
Joseph was given a signet ring and a gold chain. The signet ring was to impress documents, equivalent to an authorized signature. The gold chain was an ancient symbol of investiture. The word 'Abrek', used in verse forty-three, is an Egyptian word of unknown meaning, or perhaps an Assyrian title. Joseph was now second in command, only the Pharaoh was a secular authority set above him.
Joseph, as a youth was as most individuals are now. That is, we believe that given half a chance, we can take the world with a roar. As a youth he was arrogant. He was pompous towards his brothers, and even towards his father and mother. Joseph as a young man was immature, brash, and conceited. He likely gave little thought to the place of G-d in his life. However, Joseph grew out of the swagger head age. Joseph grew out of the age where he thought that all of life began and ended with him. It was at this point that G-d was able to use him.
Disaster, frustration, disappointment, sorrow, -these are hard for anyone to bear, or hard in fact that we must never speak lightly of another's burdens. But disaster is not hopelessness. Crises come into every life. Some may even have more of these 'valleys', than others. It is often true that the overwhelming crises of life seem to bunch themselves together to hit us all at once. Surmounting these crises, finding our way out of the labyrinth, -this takes ingenuity, courage, and the help of others. Above all, a faith in G-d, who, at times appears absent.
Those who survive seem to have something within themselves. Ingenuity plays a part. Courage is an important factor. Self-confidence is necessary. Generosity in dealing with others bears good and abundant fruit. Mental reflection and candid self- appraisal will remind us of who we are and who G-d is. It has often been said that the most stubborn and unreasonable person we know, is, -ourselves
It certainly should be said that there are countless men and women who have the religious personality of Joseph, but never achieve fame, fortune, or the distinction of a Joseph. However, these too are touched by G-d in a wondrous way. These are the individuals who, in so many ways, are the ones who keep hope alive. It might even be said that one who died at Auschwitz, Treblinka, Theresienstadt, or at a hundred other death camps, with the Shema on his or her lips was a person of even greater loyalty to G-d, than Joseph.
An opal is a jewel that is best displayed in the hollow of one's hand. There it gleams with a splendor not noticed under other circumstances. There is a great deal to be said about the benefits of life and religion that are similar to the opal. Joseph asked no price for his interpretation of the Pharaoh's dreams. In fact, he gave the credit to G-d. He wanted to be of service so he gave of what G-d had given to him.
Why the success of Joseph? Yes, an individual must labor. That labor may come in an office, in a home, or on an assembly line, -or in a thousand different ways. An individual must be honest. A soul must be forgiving. An individual can be hopeful. While there will come times of depression and concern in life, too much concentration on the ruts in the road will fill an individual with bitterness. But above all an individual must commit themselves to the betterment of the world, to leave the world a little better each evening than when he or she awoke. It is by small acts of kindness that we plant the seedlings of beauty that will grow into a forest of testaments before G-d. There are those who need your helping hand, who need the talents, and the gifts that G-d has given to you, and to me. We begin by taking one small step at a time; the step of a smile, the step of an act of consideration, the step of a phone call to one who needs you. These steps and others, are the matter of a Joseph. .
See also: 1 Kings 3:15; 23-28; 4:1
Shalom U'Vracha (peace and blessings),
Thomas
