Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23) Embracing The Random Aspect of Life

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Do you recall Algebra 1? Do you recall those fateful words “solve for X?” I am still wondering what that X was or is! It was and is truly the unknown. So, this week’s portion, which contains a host of issues around family dynamics, also may revolve around another single letter, the R!
We meet in this week’s portion the beginning of the Joseph cycle, which is a fascinating study all by itself. We see right in chapter 37 the rivalry between brothers (again that familiar theme), Joseph’s multicolored coat, the power of dreams again another important theme) and the request by Jacob to Joseph to seek out his brothers who were tending flocks. You know the story that the brothers cast Joseph into the pit, Reuben’s desire to not have him killed and the band of Ishmaelites who just happen to come across Joseph in the pit. There are verses here from strands of history blended into one story, but what I wish to point out is that thanks to these Ishmaelites/Midianites, Joseph is spared and transported to Egypt and thus, Biblical history is changed. Let me suggest that the story of Joseph in the pit and him being spared can also be seen as one of those incidents in life when a random act intercedes in what was planned and, and, because of that randomness, life changes. One of the messages of this story us, may very well be that in examining our own life story, how have those random acts of life changed who we were and who we became?
I would like to suggest that we consider the R factor of life, that randomness that intercedes, often when we least expect it. I imagine that many of us, as we look back on our own journey, can point out a moment or person that entered our life, so unexpectedly, and as a result, our life journey took a different direction. Was it random? Or, as some believe, was it really a predetermined act? I believe in that random factor in life and always point to the classic Jewish response of the power and importance of choice. How we choose to respond to these random acts often determines the type of future we have. Or, to paraphrase an old Yiddish expression known to many “Man plans and God laughs”.
What if Reuben was able to save Joseph? What if those nomadic traders had not seen Jospeh? Or later in the portion, what if Judah had not stopped for the disguised Tamar?
What if in 37:15 the man did not stop to ask Joseph “mah t’vakesh?” What if? Our lives are filled with moments unplanned. They bring good and not so good news and choices. How have you responded? Do you think your response would be or have been different as you have grown older? Once again, Torah presents us with challenges. Choose well!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Richard F Address

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