Two Minute Torah Podcast

Vayeshev 5771 by Rabbi Kim Blumenthal

This week's parsha continues the story of our patriarchs, and sees the generational shift from Jacob to his sons. And while we are still in Genesis and will be for several weeks, our parsha is, in some ways, a prologue to the Book of Exodus. This is the story of how the children of Israel found themselves in Egypt. It begins with sibling rivalry and jealousy. Joseph is favored by his father, but hated by his brothers. After years of tension, the brothers are totally fed up. They devise a plan to kill him, but think better of it and sell him into slavery instead. This is how Joseph finds himself a slave in the land of Egypt.

As Jews, we are very familiar with the concept of Egyptian slavery. The recollection that "we were slaves in Egypt" is a foundational element of Jewish identity. We draw on this experience of our collective memory as a call to action. Because we were slaves—strangers in a foreign land—we bring a strong sensitivity when we encounter people struggling in our midst.

When our tradition refers to our Egyptian slavery, it is referring not to Joseph, but rather to later generations. Still, as we follow this week's parsha, we cannot help but recognize foreshadowing. Joseph may be the first Israelite to know Egyptian slavery, but he is certainly not the last.

Joseph's time as a slave offers hope for later generations. They will suffer as slaves, but they will also be able to cling to hope. In a few weeks we will read of our story's happy ending. Joseph goes on to know political and personal success. He becomes a top leader in Egypt and he reconciles with his family. We know that not all stories have happy endings—as did Joseph's—but it is helpful to have models that provide hope.

Just as Joseph served as a model to the generations enslaved in Egypt, he can also provide hope for us today. We have all felt enslaved at times—bogged down in trying situations. To know that others have come before us and faced obstacles with courage can inspire us today.