Vayigash-A Soothing Perspective

Shalom and Bracha!

The portion Vayigash continues the narrative of Yoseph and his brothers. Yoseph had created a ruse in order to be certain that his brothers had repented for selling him into slavery. Once he was certain, he revealed his identity to his shocked brothers. Immediately, he made one of the most powerfully intense statements in history: “Do not worry that you sold me… G-d has sent me before you to sustain you… it is not you who sent me here, but rather G-d… and He has made me a ruler in Egypt. 

Let us think for a moment what Yoseph endured. His own brothers wanted to kill him. Then they threw him into a perilous pit. Then they decided to make some money and sold him. What could be more traumatic? Now his brothers were in his hands. Who could avoid venting anger and frustration? 

Yoseph saw things through different eyes. Yoseph understood that everything that happens to us in this world is the hand of Hashem. As such, when he was thrown in the pit, and sold as a slave, and imprisoned in Egypt, he attributed it to the decree of Hashem. He may not have known why Hashem put him through all of this, but he knew it came from Hashem. Either he deserved it, or it was part of a greater plan, or both, but it came from Hashem. As such, he cleansed himself from anger and malice. As Hashem’s plan unfolded, he fully understood his mission. As such, he truly bore no malice or anger and immediately through himself into caring for his father and brothers. 

The Talmud teaches that anger is like serving idols. Further, it causes us to forget and do and say things which we later regret. Malicious feelings stain our souls and burden our lives. Imagine freedom from all anger, vengeance and malice! 

The Tanya says that we all must learn from Yoseph. By perceiving everything as an expression of Hashem’s will, we are cured us from anger and stress. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that creation is constant. Hashem is involved in every detail of our lives, and the goal of each trial and tribulation may be revealed many years later or remain a mystery to man. Although the perpetrator is responsible for his acts, the recipient is in the hands of Hashem. When we internalize this as Yoseph did, we can free ourselves of anger and free the world of strife. Each step in internalization cures our distress and brings peace to our souls. 

Strife brought the destruction of the Temple and any step towards unity hastens Moshiach’s coming and the Temple’s reconstruction. 

Shabbat Shalom,