Parshas Vayeishev
A Dreamer Meets Reality
There is a difference – to put it mildly – that is outlined clearly
between Yosef and his brothers in this week’s parsha. Yosef is the
quintessential dreamer, his head in the stars and his youthful exuberance
and certainty in the truthful outcome of his dreams becomes very
irritating to his brothers.
Since his head is in the clouds in a world of Eisav and Shechem the
brothers feel it to be the height of impracticality, if not even
irresponsibility. to be a dreamer. The brothers have their feet firmly
implanted on the ground, in the reality of the world in which they exist,
with clear recognition of the inherent dangers and threats inherent.
Yosef feels the brothers have been unjust for rejecting his dreams
immediately and they in turn are convinced that he and his dreaming
constitute a veritable danger to the unity and survival of Yaakov’s
family. It is not only the contents of Yosef’s dreams – that he will
dominate the family – that disturb the brothers. It is the very fact that
he is dreaming that raises their suspicions and fuels their enmity towards
him.
In the struggle between Yosef and the brothers, the conflict is between
the lofty and inspirational theory of Judaism and its sometime mundane
practice of hope and actual reality - of what can be achieved even though
it is not exactly what one dreamt of achieving. The conflict between Yosef
and his brothers is never really ended. It is compromised by both sides
recognizing the validity of the position of the other and living with that
reality.
The Jewish people in its long and difficult history have somehow been able
to combine the spirit and dreams of Yosef with the hardheaded realism of
his brothers. Both traits are necessary for our survival and
accomplishments, both as individuals and as a nation. Someone without
dreams and ambition, who refuses to reach heavenward and conquer the
stars, will never be a truly creative or original person.
But if this drive is not tempered by a realistic sense of the situation
and the society that surrounds us, then all dreams are doomed to
eventually disappoint. Yosef’s dreams are realized only after he has been
severely chastened by his brothers’ enmity, slavery and imprisonment in
Egypt. Even after he seemingly has them in his grasp, it is still a
contest of wills.
Again, Yosef’s dreams are finally realized but only after he has been
subjected to many hard years of unpleasant reality. The brothers, realists
to the end, are shocked to see that the dreamer has emerged triumphant.
The dreamer saves the world from famine while the realists end up being
its customers. Thus the Torah teaches us that we need both dreamers and
realists within our ranks. A nation built exclusively on dreams, without
practical reality intruding, will find that reality rising to foil the
realization of the dream.
A nation that ceases to dream of reaching greater heights will stagnate
and not survive. So, both the brothers and Yosef are “right” in their
pursuit of building a nation and of spiritual growth. We need a healthy
dose of both values and views in our Jewish world today as well.
Shabat shalom.
Rabbi Berel Wein
Rabbi Berel Wein- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer offers a complete selection of CDs, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, and books on Jewish history at www.rabbiwein.com
Visit www.rabbiwein.com for a complete selection of Rabbi Wein's books and tapes.
