Mikeitz – Realizing Where It is From

In Parshas Mikeitz, the narrative of Yosef unfolds further. After being falsely accused and imprisoned Yosef is released to interpret Paroh’s dreams, and he is now the viceroy of Egypt. His brothers have been sent by their father, Yaakov, to Egypt to secure food during the famine. Yosef arranges for the ten brothers who had been complicit in his sale to be apprehended and brought before him. As they stand in his presence, the Passuk states that 'Yosef recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.' Rashi provides two interpretations regarding this Passuk. The first interpretation Rashi offers is that when he was sold, the brothers had beards, whereas he did not, which is why they failed to recognize him. The second explanation Rashi gives, based on the Midrash, contrasts the attitudes of Yosef and his brothers. 'Yosef recognized his brothers': now that they were under his authority, he acknowledged them as his brothers and felt compassion for them, 'and they did not recognize him': however, when he was at their mercy, 'they did not recognize him' as their brother, as they did not behave towards him in a brotherly fashion.

Yosef showcases a truly remarkable quality. Rebbetzin Henny Machlis ob"m of Jerusalem once remarked, "Hurt people, hurt people." Frequently, individuals who have experienced violence or significant trauma tend to project their pain onto others, often responding with cruelty and perpetuating a cycle of suffering. However, the Medrash attests to Yosef's unique response; despite having faced threats of death, being sold into slavery, and enduring years of imprisonment and separation from his father, family, and home, when confronted by those responsible for his suffering, he does not reciprocate their cruelty. Rather, he shows them pity, as one would expect a brother to do. 

Who Is in Control?

Where does this strength of character originate? At the end of Sefer Bereishis, the sons of Yaakov return to Egypt after burying their father, apprehensive that Yosef might now take revenge on them for their previous mistreatment of him. They tell him that their father had requested, before he died, that he show them kindness and not act harshly towards them. Yosef, with tears in his eyes, replies, "Do not fear. Am I in place of Hashem? Although you meant it for evil, Hashem meant it for good, as is evident today, to sustain many lives."

Yosef understood that there was a purpose behind every event that transpired in his life. Although it took him many years of enduring pain, it eventually became "as clear as today" that his descent to Egypt was meant to support the Egyptian populace and, to ensure the preservation of the Jewish People. Yosef lived with the realization that all that was occurring in his life was being orchestrated by Hashem. With each occurrence, he could have succumbed to despair and harbored resentment. During the unfolding of his narrative, no one would have blamed him. After all, consider the adversities he faced. Yet, he did not surrender and refused to compromise his principles.

Things Going Wrong? Keep Going Forward

A tale is recounted about a Jewish man who suffered under the Nazis. One Nazi confronted him, inquiring, "Look at what is occurring to you Jews. Do you still maintain that you are G-d’s chosen people?" The elderly Jew replied, "Yes, as long as we are not the ones acting like animals, I believe we are Hashem’s chosen people." Years ago, several bicycles belonging to my children were stolen. These bicycles were particularly special as they were gifts from their Zaidy, who had passed away. While the bicycles could be replaced, the significance of the gifts could not. The children struggled to comprehend how someone could commit such an act, and in their youthful innocence, they sought revenge. My wife told them that, although it is unfortunate that the bikes were stolen, we are fortunate to have a Torah that teaches us it is better to be the victim of theft than to be the thief. They still didn’t understand why it happened, but they understood there was a larger picture.

The underlying causes of global events are often obscured from human understanding. What is driving the surge in antisemitism across the globe? Many can formulate what they believe to be the explanation. They may express political ideologies and outline perceived causes and effects regarding their beliefs. However, it must be understood that the ultimate reason is known solely to Hashem. With this awareness, we can move forward. This principle holds true on both a global scale and a personal level. Why does one individual face a particular challenge? Why does one person find certain aspects of life effortless while another struggles merely to navigate through the day? These questions surface, but it is crucial to understand that our lack of an answer does not equate to the absence of an answer.

The Torah informs us that Yosef understood his brothers were simply instruments in the Hand of Hashem. When they stand before him, he harbors no ill will, as they were not the ultimate or true cause of his suffering. Years later, he could discern the reasons for all that occurred. In our lives, the clarity may not be as evident, and we may never fully grasp the reasons behind our experiences. Nevertheless, if we adopt the belief that every question has an answer, we can realize that every experience we undergo in life indeed possesses a purpose.