In this week's parsha, Yosef haTzadik makes his miraculous rise to power. The medrish says that he would reign over the world for eighty years, much more than anyone else in all of history. This is a time to ask ourselves: What about me? Why can't I also "take over the world" (each person in their own way)? Saying over clever pshetlach on the parsha is great, but let's actually try to be like the great people that we learn about, each one in his own way. Tap into it! And the more a person may be "convinced" that he is a "nobody", the more we know that the truth is the opposite, and that he is actually destined for greatness, and that is actually why the yeitzer hara (evil inclination) is so busy brainwashing him with illusions of worthlessness.
In truth, the yeitzer hara is totally powerless, and his only power is his ability to put on a show, which 99% of the world falls for without thinking twice. He is a gazlan shel kash, a silly scarecrow, who appears scary, but in truth is harmless. (See Madreigas haAdam: Bakashas haSheleimes chapter 12 for more, as well as in other places). The yeitzer hara is nothing more than fake rocket sirens that spread pachad and fear all around, as if there is something to be afraid of, when in truth there is actually nothing, just Hashem Himself, who loves you and cares for you, and will make sure that nothing bad ever happens to you. And, says Rebbi Chaim Volozner z"l (Nefesh haChaim 3:12), when one recognizes that only Hashem is running the show, then Hashem in turn shows us openly how there is absolutely nothing to worry about whatsoever.
This is our time to make it big, and not be put-off by any fake "scarecrows"!
