It took just two words to explain everything that had transpired in 22 years.
In Parshat Vayigash we read about the epic moment when Yosef revealed his true identity to his brothers and he did so by saying two words: “אני יוסף. - I am Yosef.”
And the response of his brothers was: “כי נבהלו מפניו - They were stunned into silence.”
These two words explained everything that had happened since the moment that Yosef had left their presence, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, the hardships and the tragedies. Now suddenly, there was an explanation for it all.
The Chafetz Chaim teaches us that at the time of reckoning, when we reach the World of Truth, so too in a very simple and powerful way Hashem will suddenly reveal to us the truth of everything that has transpired to us throughout our lives. But that’s not the only lesson.
You see, Yosef actually added three more words. He said, “אני יוסף, - I am Yosef,” and then he said, “העוד אבי חי - Is my father still alive?”
The Gemarah in Chagigah tells us that Rabbi Elazar taught that from here we realize the power of rebuke. You see, Yosef here was rebuking his brothers by saying, “Is my father still alive?” Really, it was aimed at his brother Yehuda. Yehuda had made these noble protestations about Binyamin. “If you take Binyamin away our father Yackov will die,” he said. Yosef was asking where Yehuda’s voice had been 22 years before when his other brother Yosef was to be taken from his father, to probably his certain death. Was he concerned about his father then?
Therefore he says: “העוד אבי חי - Is my father still alive?”
Yosef was saying, “Can I really rely on a single word of yours?” What a rebuke to his brothers.
And therefore Rabbi Elazar teaches us that in a time to come when we reach the World of Truth, Hashem will rebuke us, and we will be ashamed of all our misdemeanors in life. So therefore, from these powerful words of Yosef, when he revealed his identity to his brothers, the Chafetz Chaim teaches us that just as Yosef was able to explain everything that had transpired in just two words, so too in the world of Truth, Hashem will explain to us, in a very simple fashion, why we have had so many extraordinary and sometimes tragic experiences on earth.
It will all just be explained in an instant.
Join me by praying with all our hearts for the healing of all those injured, for the safe return of those taken as hostages, as well as Divine Protection for our brave IDF soldiers, Police officers, medical professionals, Firefighters, ZAKA members, security personnel and all those citizens protecting us in Israel as well as around the world, and for those who need healing, shidduchim, children or parnassah and may we be blessed to have the most awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, peaceful, healthy, amazing, relaxed, spiritual, safe, quiet and sweet Shabbat.
NO MITZVOT IN THIS PARSHA
NUMBER OF PESUKIM: 106
NUMBER OF WORDS: 1480
NUMBER OF LETTERS: 5680
HAFTORA:
Yechezkel 37:15 - 28
