My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Va-Y'Chi (2)
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on January 7, 2009 | Tags: Vayechi
In the final portion of Genesis, we read in Parshah Va-Y’hi that Joseph’s brothers were frightened when their father died. Would Joseph now feel free to wreak his revenge? Joseph has no such idea, telling them, “…although you intended me harm, God intended it for good, so as to bring about the present result – the survival of many people.” (Gen 50:20). Why were the brothers worried, after Joseph had already tended to them and their families? A Midrash relates that when they took Jacob’s remains to Hebron for burial, Joseph made a journey to the pit his brothers had cast him into many years before. For Joseph, according to the rabbis, it was a chance to reflect on God’s ways and his journey since then. For his brothers, it was Joseph plotting his vengeance. Sometimes when we’re certain we know what others are thinking, we’re simply projecting our own thoughts and fears onto them.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
