Parshas Vayigash
Piecing Together the Jigsaw Puzzle
This week's Parsha continues the gripping narrative of Yosef as he continues
the drama of targeting his brothers as dishonest people, threatening to take
Binyomin hostage in a trumped-up charge that he stole the viceroys special
goblet.
The story reaches a climax when the brothers plead desperately with Yosef
for Binyomin's release. Finally, when tension has reached the breaking
point, Yosef lowers the veil of the unrelenting ruler and reveals his true
identity, announcing, "I am Yosef, who you sold as a slave to Egypt." The
brothers are dumbfounded. Suddenly, understanding dawns. The string of
bizarre events befalling them in Egypt makes sense.
Many commentaries touch upon an interesting point. Why did Yosef have to rub
salt on their wounds at this particular moment? He could have simply said "I
am Yosef," without reminding them of their past cruelty to him? The brothers
certainly knew that they had sold him to Egypt. Why did he have to remind
them of their treachery when he was about to try to reconcile with them?
The famous commentator, the Sfas Emes, offers the following insight. As
Yosef revealed his true identity, the brothers were undoubtedly stricken
with grief. The first stab of guilt was over having torn Yosef away form
their father's lap at a tender age. Although Yosef had obviously survived
despite his immersion in Egyptian society, who knows how much spiritual
poison it had infected him with? Had he remained under his father's
tutelage, who could tell what heights he might have reached!
Yosef reassured them on this score. I am Yosef, the person I was intended to
become, he told them. Had I not been forced through the ordeal of being sold
as a slave and having to rise above the decadence of Egyptian society I
would not be Yosef. I could never have accomplished what I needed to
accomplish; I would never have risen to the spiritual heights that I have
attained. I only fulfilled my life mission by enduring the difficult trials
to which I was subjected. Only because my faith was tested did my true
mettle emerge. I am Yosef precisely because you sold me to Egypt!
Reflecting on the difficult trials we all face in our lives, this is a
powerful message to keep in mind. The harrowing and inscrutable situations
that test our moral and spiritual fiber will ultimately come together as a
beautiful mosaic. Rather than succumbing to questioning the purpose of this
or that challenge, or complaining that we don't deserve a particular
hardship, let us fortify ourselves with the knowledge that Hashem will
ultimately reveal Himself and the pieces to His Divine plan will become
clear. All the bitter and bewildering events will be part of a wondrous
revelation. Let us use all of our spiritual resources to keep our faith intact.
Wishing you a warm and wonderful Shabbos,
Rabbi Naftali Reich
Text Copyright © 2012 by Rabbi Naftali Reich and Torah.org.
Rabbi Reich is on the faculty of the Ohr Somayach Tanenbaum Education Center.
