The story of Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers after decades of bitter separation is, no doubt, one of the most dramatic in the entire Torah. Having sold Joseph into slavery 22 years earlier, the brothers now stand face to face with the viceroy of Egypt, who unbeknownst to them is there long lost brother Joseph. The viceroy has accused Benjamin (his brother) of theft and threatened to keep him as his slave.
This week’s Torah portion opens as Judah (the brother who had initiated Joseph’s sale) approaches the viceroy of Egypt and beseeches for Benjamin’s release. The viceroy can no longer contain his emotions and cries, “I am Joseph your brother”.
Judah’s approaching Joseph can be viewed in three dimensions:
THE PERCEIVED REALITY – Judah was approaching the viceroy of Egypt, who was capable of deciding his future and that of his entire family.
THE REALITY – This viceroy of Egypt was none other than Joseph, Judah’s brother.
THE MYSTICAL REALITY – Judah approaching Joseph represents a Jew approaching G‑d in prayer.
These ‘realities’ are intertwined and all play a significant role in our lives:
Each of us faces obstacles and hurdles in our journey of life:
THE PERCEIVED REALITY is that we are slaves to our problems, we are subservient to them. At best, we live with them and try, when possible, to wiggle our way out – the way Judah felt.
THE REALITY is that we have the ability to rise above our challenges for they are merely tests from G‑d, solely created to strengthen us - they are really ‘our brother’. We, the Jewish People, are impervious to challenge and will rise above it.
How do we muster the courage and inner strength to lift ourselves from the perceived reality to ‘real’ reality?
Through THE MYSTICAL REALITY - by approaching G‑d through prayer. In prayer our inner bond with the Almighty is revealed, giving us the ability to rise above our challenges.
So the next time a problem overwhelms us, try the venue of pray and perceive reality.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick