University of Massachusetts

Parshat Vayigash
D'vrei torah by: Shifra Baronofsky

Rabbi Kaminetsky says “Revenge. Though the Torah warns us against acting on our emotions, it's hard to control the desire. In fact, a dogma of modern society preaches to us not to get mad, rather to get even.”

In this week’s parsha, Yoseph reveals his identity to his brothers. After 22 years of being in Egypt, he is probably filled with anger, and would like to seek revenge, yet he stays calm. We would expect Yoseph to speak to his brother’s harshly, but he doesn’t. Yoseph shocks the brothers by revealing his identity, and instead of chastising them he appeases them. "Come close to me if you please, and they came close. (Genesis 45:4-5) "And he said, "I am Joseph your brother -- it is me whom you sold into Egypt. And now, be not distressed, nor reproach yourselves for having sold me here, for it was to be a provider that G-d sent me ahead of you“. He explains, that being sold to Egypt was not the brothers doing but rather Divine intervention to stop world hunger during the famine. (v. 6-7) "Thus Hashem has sent me ahead of you to insure your survival in the land and to sustain you for a momentous deliverance. And now -- it was not you who sent me here, but G-d; He has made me father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler throughout the entire land of Egypt” What type of man has the capacity not only to ignore horrible injustice totally, but to revel in it, saying that it was all meant to be, without the slightest display of bitterness or animosity? It takes a unique attitude about life.

We learn from this situation that whatever may happen in life always approach it in a calm fashion. Don’t get angry when someone does something horrible because G-d has everything happen for a reason. The way you react to a situation has its consequences. Always react patiently and together we will see the building of the third beit hamikdash, speedily in our days.

Comments on Parshat Vayigash - 12/15/07