This week’s parsha is the culmination of the narrative of Yosef in Mitzrayim. He reveals himself to his brothers and is reunited with his father. He actively recognizes, in this parsha, that all that has come to pass was designed precisely to put him in the position to bring the family to Mitzrayim and save them from the famine. “But now do not be sad, and let it not trouble you that you sold me here, for it was to preserve life that God sent me before you.For already two years of famine [have passed] in the midst of the land, and [for] another five years, there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to make for you a remnant in the land, and to preserve [it] for you for a great deliverance” (45:5-7).
It is common to speak of the subject of Yosef’s ability to find the reason and the benefit to the hardships that he suffered. It is an incredibly powerful lesson to every individual – a powerful reminder that our most difficult challenges may just be pieces of a path that gets us to where we need to be. And given everything that occurred between Yosef and his brothers, his insight and forgiveness is truly remarkable.
This week’s parsha also provides us with a different lesson about Yosef that can be deemed important. Yosef grasped each of the blessings that came his way and made the most of the situation not just for himself, but for everyone around him. Potifar’s household benefited. The prison benefitted. And, of course, the entire country of Mitzrayim benefitted.
Yosef’s greatest strength was - as is noted by the Midrashic reference to seeing his father - his concrete faith and identity, which he managed to pass on to his two sons who were born and raised surrounded by the Mitzri culture. His second greatest strength was his instinct to channel all of the blessings that Hashem gave him – intelligence, charisma, business acumen, and even good looks (never a bad thing in politics) – into that which benefitted others.
Of course, one might argue that being Viceroy of Mitzrayim was pretty good for Yosef, but the truth is that being Viceroy of Mitzrayim meant he had to hide his identity and his faith. He spoke no Hebrew until his brothers came. He lived without anyone who could really understand the faith he held. And he managed, and it could not have been easy, to teach his sons about the people they came from.
It is interesting to note that the history of the Jewish people through all of our wanderings reflects this aspect of Yosef, which is really the blessing of Avraham that those who bless him shall be blessed. We have brought benefit to each land where we have lived (alas, the second half of the story – jealousy, protectivism, oppression also repeats itself).
While most of us will never have the opportunity to attain a position of power like Yosef, that does not mean that we lack our own spheres of influence. Whether that be through a job or in our communities or just in our homes, we must recognize our gifts and use the talents and skills with which Hashem has blessed us for the benefit of those around us.
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Wishing you all a beautiful Shabbas
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