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After thousands of years, Joseph is still a role model
BY RABBI PINCHAS LIPNER
Vayigash Genesis 44:18 - 47:27 Ezekiel 37:15-28
We suffer today from a distinct lack of role models in just about every area of life. Political leaders generally leave us disillusioned and disappointed as we discover more about their true character. Athletes generally decline to be regarded as role models and with very good reason. Entertainers are often revered by our youth, and as my bubbe would have remarked, "Az-ach-und-vey," very freely translated, "Lord have mercy." Even in the religious realm we have lost so many spiritual giants, including just last year my beloved rebbe, Rabbi Chaim Kreisworth of blessed memory. We are an orphaned generation. Fortunately, this week's parashah provides us with an opportunity to reach back thousands of years into Jewish history. We can examine and study the character of the principal player in the gripping drama that develops in the final chapters of the Book of Genesis. This attempt to analyze and appreciate the character of Joseph is well worth the effort. Not withstanding the distance in years, some lessons are eternal. First, it would be impossible to fail to observe how lovable and charming Joseph must have been. He was his father's favorite son. When he was sold into slavery as a youth, he was able to win the overwhelming trust and confidence of Potiphar, his master. While in prison on a trumped-up charge, he won the amity and friendship of guards and fellow inmates. Pharaoh clearly loved, trusted and relied on Joseph for his wisdom, integrity and scrupulous honesty. As praiseworthy as these characteristics are, there is another of Joseph's qualities that in itself supremely qualifies him as a Jewish role model. It is his steadfast fidelity to his religious principles. Joseph was only 17 when he was ripped from the guidance and tutelage of his father, Jacob. He was suddenly placed into a heathen household in a foreign land. The temptations and opportunities to assimilate can hardly be imagined. Nevertheless, he overcame all enticements to reject the beliefs of his Jewish faith. He continued to trust in G-d through all of the difficulties he was forced to endure. His religious precepts were his strength and comfort. When he was ultimately summoned to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, he resisted the opportunity to win favor and perhaps secure his release from prison. Instead he declared that it was not he who could explain dreams but only the Almighty who could solve the king's problems. Some say that it is good fortune rather than ill fortune that often pulls us away from our attachment to religious ideals and family obligations. Joseph passed this test as well. He was promoted to an office second only to Pharaoh himself, and he was given extraordinary power and acclaim. Still, he remained Joseph the Jew, not Joseph the prince. He never forgot his origins or his father's instructions. Perhaps the most noble example of Joseph's character is revealed in the way he behaved toward the brothers who had sold him, their own flesh and blood, into bondage. They had caused him grave personal harm and they had broken their father's heart. Now Joseph was in a position to sentence them to prison or even death. Instead, he worked to reassure them that they were merely agents in G-d's vast eternal plan: "For to save life G-d sent me before you" (Gen. 45:5). He went so far as to pave the way for his repentant brothers and their families to join him so that he could care for them and ensure their well-being. One more important aspect of Joseph's character is revealed in Vayigash. While we certainly can find examples of Jewish leaders fulfilling their obligations to their Jewish brothers and sisters, sadly it is unusual to find eminent Jewish leaders who have raised children of a like caliber. Joseph was vigilant in bringing up his two sons as true and faithful Jews. When their grandfather Jacob met them he said, "In thee shall Israel in the future bless their children, with the words, 'May G-d make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.'" This blessing continues to be repeated in many Jewish homes every Friday night. We find in Joseph an outstanding example of what a Jew should be. Indeed, he is known as "Joseph the Tzaddik" (the righteous). Although the Torah teaches that he was in fact not perfect, still in a life filled with struggle, pain and many trials, his character shines down through Jewish history to instruct and inspire us even today. Shabbat shalom.
The writer is dean of Hebrew Academy in San Francisco.
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