Joseph and the Jewish Customs of Modesty

A Word of Torah

Jacqueline Lehrer
University of Ottawa

In the parshiyot (Torah readings) which come out in the month of Kislev, we see the importance of names. Aside from the famous story of Jacob’s name change, a curious episode in which he fights with an angel who gives him the name of Yisrael, we also have the naming of his children by his wives. Leah gives special thought to each name as it is given, as do the others in their turn. In our tradition, certain notable characters are given a descriptive nickname to go with their given name. Some examples include: Avraham Avinu (Abraham Our Father) and Moshe Rabbenu (Moses Our Teacher). Yoseph, however, is the only one with the nickname HaTzaddik (The Righteous).

It is no coincidence that Joseph’s story is read during or near the time of Hanukkah. The celebration of Hanukkah marks the victory of observing Jews over the Hellenizing forces, made up of both Greeks and highly assimilated Jews. This parallel fits very nicely with Joseph, who finds himself away from his family’s influence -- a location that makes it harder to be a devoted Jew. The fact that Joseph resisted the urge to discard his Jewish identity is why he is referred to as "The Righteous." Still, in the time of Joseph, what it meant to be Jewish was less defined and codified than it is today.

This month’s theme, Judaism and Sexuality, calls to mind all the tzniut (modesty) lessons I had to endure in high school. In the book of Genesis, 39:7- 8, Joseph’s merits are identified. This is another form of modesty, paired with the knowledge of what’s right and what’s wrong. Joseph is sold as a slave to Potiphar. On an occasion when Potiphar is away, his wife tries – unsuccessfully! -- to seduce Joseph. This modesty is spelled out as an example for generations to come.

It is important to note that boys, when blessed at the Shabbat evening meal, are told to emulate Ephraim and Menashe, Joseph’s sons. We realize the lesson here: we too live in a place where we are the minority. Some of us no longer live at home and are away at college. It is important to emulate Joseph and his family -- they managed to maintain their Jewish identity in a location where it was far from easy. We are called upon to do the same: May we lead lives where our presence leads outsiders to acknowledge us as the proud Jews we ought to be.

[Posted 11/10/04]