My wife and I just sat through Parent/Teachers’ conferences. You should know that I am incredibly uncomfortable bragging about my children and I only hope that what I am about to say doesn’t sound like bragging. It is not my intent. Believe me; all of my kids have shortcomings. For me, those shortcomings are a clear indication that they are all regular ordinary kids who are absolutely adorable and even angelic when asleep. However they have the innate capacity, as all kids do, to drive mom and dad crazy. During the conferences, each teacher went on and on about each child, their academic performance, their respectful behavior towards the teachers as well as their positive influence upon their peer group. My jaw dropped. I wondered aloud how nice it would be if they saved 2% of that wonderful behavior and attitude for their mother and me. Then all the teachers said something quite revealing. My wife and I have a policy regarding homework. If our kids know that they will be absent, they must get the work prior to the absence. That means they must notify the teacher and make every effort to get the homework; no excuse is accepted. Each teacher commented how responsible they were about homework and taking tests. Each teacher explained that our children attributed their sense of responsibility in this matter to “my mom and dad”. It was nice to hear that our children have learned a little something from us.
This week’s Parsha is Mikeitz. This is Yosef’s coming out party. He is released from prison in order to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. First he informs Pharaoh that God has given him this gift, and then he successfully interprets the two dreams. Pharaoh is so impressed, and so trusting of Yosef, that he makes Yosef his right hand man. He becomes responsible for preparing Egypt for the famine that will occur. When the famine struck Egypt, it also affected Canaan where Yosef’s brothers and father lived. They go down to Egypt seeking relief. Yosef recognizes them, but he does not reveal his identity. Rather he tests their moral growth; he purposefully frames the youngest brother, Benjamin in order to determine whether the brothers would finally protect one of their own. After many years in prison, Yosef finally has the opportunity to exhibit the moral growth of his character, and can evaluate the moral character of others. This Parsha demonstrates the effect that his moral character has upon others.
Certainly it seems rather farfetched that a young imprisoned foreign slave could rise to the position of Prime Minister second only to Pharaoh himself. Certainly, we can legitimately ask how it was possible that Yosef could be appointed to this incredibly powerful position. A hint comes from last week’s parsha, Va’Yeishev, when Yosef interpreted the wine steward and baker’s dreams. He gave the credit to God. Here again in Mikeitz, prior to interpreting the Pharaoh’s dreams Yosef responds: Bilahdai Elohim Ya’Aneh et Shalom Paroh – That is beyond me; it is God who will respond with Pharaoh’s welfare.” (Gen 41:16) Throughout his interactions with Pharaoh, Yosef always cites God as the supreme force in his life. Even more impressive in evaluating Yosef’s spiritual progress, is Rashi’s comment. Rashi explains Ein Hachachmah Misheli, Eilah Elohim Ya’Aneh –The wisdom is not mine but God will answer – Yitein Anayah B’Fi LiShlom Paroh – He will put an answer in my mouth regarding the welfare of Pharoah.
Yosef’s has a conviction that he did not have at the beginning of last weeks Parsha. For Yosef, God is the Supreme Force, and Yosef's refusal to think of himself as being so important apparently made a tremendous impression upon Pharoah. Yosef’s faith that God will provide him with the answer and not leave him stumbling and bumbling also makes a tremendous impression upon Pharoah. Remember, we are speaking of the same arrogant, egotistical, spoiled son of Yaakov who told his brothers and father that they would eventually bow down to him. So what type of character does Pharaoh see embodied in Yosef? Pharaoh realized that he was dealing with a humble God-fearing man. Such an individual possesses the integrity and honesty not normally found in the typical members of the Royal Court. Royal Courtiers tended to be opportunists always trying to elevate their standing within the Palace. Pharaoh could trust Yosef.
So what do we learn from Yosef’s rise from prison to Prime Minister? Yosef no longer tooted his own horn. Yosef no longer acted with hubris. Yosef was no longer self-serving or opportunistic. We learn that Yosef’s faith in God gave him perspective. Yosef learned, albeit the hard way, that he was not the center of the universe. His rise was a direct function of his acknowledgment of God’s supremacy and his expression of a matured moral character. It is not enough to acknowledge God’s supremacy and not behave with moral integrity. Nor is it enough to behave with moral integrity and not acknowledge God’s supremacy. The former leads to hypocrisy and the latter leads to arrogance, and self-righteousness.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
No comments:
Post a Comment