Vayigash newsletter: What did Joseph teach us when facing a troublsome situation?!?
Moshe Neuwirth
Let's connect to our inner Divine light & energy! Speaker, Author, Therapist & Singer.
בס"ד
פר' ויגש
In this week's Parsha we have the story of Yoseph revealing himself to his brothers – who sold him as a slave to the Egyptians.
Let's see inside (Bereshit - Genesis 45, 3 – 4):
ויאמר יוסף אל אחיו אני יוסף העוד אבי חי ולא יכלו אחיו לענות אתו כי נבהלו מפניו.
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?!” But his brothers could not bring themselves to answer him, because they were disconcerted out of shame before him.
ויאמר יוסף אל אחיו גשו נא אלי ויגשו ויאמר אני יוסף אחיכם אשר מכרתם אתי מצרימה.
Joseph said to his brothers, “Please approach me,” and they approached. He said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt.
The Sefas Emes asks a simple question, if Yoseph saw that they're so ashamed and shocked, why did Yoseph reiterate that they sold him as a slave to the Egyptians'?
וקשה כי בזה הוסיף עוד לבייש אותם בהזכיר את מכירתם אותו.
The Sefas Emes answers that they were ashamed - once they saw his shine and realised his holiness – how did they do such a thing to someone so holy?!
אך בודאי השבטים הרגישו אז קדושת יוסף הצדיק. וז"ש נבהלו מפניו דייקא.
But Yoseph told them: No, it's on the contrary, I am holy – solely - because you sold me to the Egyptians', and I had to go through what I did, I fought - tooth and nail – to remain holy, pure and loyal to our heritage.
והשיב להם יוסף כי בא למדריגה זו על ידי מכירתם אותו למצרים ושהם גורמים בצדקתו. ובזה סר מהם הצער אשר חשבו כי אם היה אצל אביו היה גדול בצדקו יותר אבל לא כן הי' כנ"ל. (שפ"א תרל"ו)
And it's only through these struggles which pushed me so hard to my deepest core which led me to find the innate holiness and purity within myself, thanks to you selling me to the Egyptians'!
The lesson here is so profound, it's not that we achieve greatness and value despite the struggles and wrestles we face, it's exactly the opposite, it's only through those hardships and troubles that make us accomplish anything in life.
Even more so, when it comes to Divinity and spirituality, the only way getting there – and anywhere close – is by going through our journey which HaShem sent us on, and accepting it – as much as we can – happily, even with a smile – and maybe – even thanking HaShem for sending us this hidden treasure which will make us leap even higher!
Written by Moshe Neuwirth
Principal at Carla T. Main Editorial Services
1wThank you, Moshe Neuwirth. I always learn so much from you!
Information Technology | Networking
1wA very good story! 😉
Director of Remedial & Therapy Services | Educational Coach & Advocate for Student Well-being
1wWow 👌 so powerful! Thanks for sharing
Cybersecurity Nerd | Hacking Ethically to secure systems | Global Speaker
1wOne of my favorite Parsha. In our days I can Imagine Joseph as a victim of a cyber attack, "sold" into digital slavery by his own brothers. In this scenario, he eventually becomes a skilled hacker himself, rising to power in Egypt and becoming the top advisor to the highest authority. When a crisis hits his brothers, Joseph is able to provide for them, despite the suffering he endured when he was exploited as a digital slave. This exploitation represents years of violation of his privacy, losing his prized possessions, being publicly humiliated, and repeatedly mocked. Tragically, his time in this digital slavery kept him from seeing his father for many years. "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" he asks.