This week's Parsha continues where we left off last week, After the goblet is found in Binyamin’s bag, and he gets locked up for it. “ויגש אליו יהודה - And Yehuda approached him.” Yehuda begs Yosef to show compassion for their Father, “how could we go back without Binyamin?” Our father will die from the news. Yosef can’t take it anymore and he looks at his brothers and out of sensitivity for them not to embarrass them, he kicked out every Egyptian from the room, and he looked at his brothers and said these words “אני יוסף העוד אבי חי? – I am Yosef, can my father still be alive?” If this was a literal question it seems strange, that all three times the brothers came to Yosef they had conversations about their father, so why would he ask this now?
I am that Yosef, the very same 17 year old you could have sent anywhere, instead you sent me to Egypt a land full of immorality. Yosef did not see his father in almost 22 years while he was in Egypt, where he had to overcome the attempts of Potiphar’s wife while spending the year there, and ended up in jail over it for 12 long years, for being falsely accused etc.
When you sold me here, and soaked my coat in animal blood and gave it to Father, you didn’t put into calculation how much pain and suffering you put him through? העוד אבי חי? – can my father still be alive?
After all that his brotherss put him through, Yosef says, “Don’t worry, don’t have remorse. Hashem sent me here before you so there would be food for us now.” That was Yosef Hatzadik. A tzadik looks at any situation and can see the good.
We also find a similar situation by Mordechai Hatzadik at the time of Purim. Mordechai, who according to some commentaries, was Esther’s first husband before she was taken away to Achashverosh. So, Mordechai lost his wife to Achashverosh, who sided with Haman to scheme and kill the Jews. Mordechai tells Esther after everything they went through “מי יודע אם לעת כזאת הגעת למלכות - Who knows if for this exact moment you were brought into the palace? And if you are not going to act now, the salvation will come from somewhere else, and you will be forgotten.” Mordechai knew that by sending her into Achashverosh, this time, it meant that they could never go back to being husband and wife ever. Yet, he looked at the entire situation and saw there was one good thing that could come out of a very dark life.
Friends, daily we are faced with different challenges and situations that come our way. At times, we ask ourselves, why are we in this mess, how did I get here, What does Hashem want from me? We have to try to emulate the Tzadikim, the real true Tzadikim, who were able to look at the worst situations, and find the one good thing to keep their hearts, in a positive light throughout.
So let us take this opportunity to thank Hashem with all our hearts for the great miracle we have witnessed - the release and safe return of the living hostages. With hearts full of thanks, we acknowledge His endless kindness and mercy, and we pray that those who have returned home find healing, strength, and peace after all they have endured.
We also continue to pray for the release of the one remaining hostage body and Divine Protection over our courageous IDF soldiers, police officers, medical teams, firefighters, ZAKA members, security forces, and every individual who stands in defense of our people - in Israel and throughout the world.
May all who are in need, be blessed with healing, yeshuot, shidduchim, children, and parnassah tova, and may we be blessed to have just continuous joy and to only go from one simcha through to the next, the most awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, peaceful, happy, healthy, amazing, relaxed, spiritual, 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
Tuesday, Dec. 30, is עשרה בטבת ( the fast of Tenth Of Tevet).
