How do we bring ourselves to be good to people when they do not mirror this goodness, when they even behave in evil ways? These evil ways are part of life and I feel that I often fall into a general attitude of seeing all the ways how this evil is false, how it needs to be fought and overcome, reacting to it with resentment and disgust, forgetting to see the deeper dimension. This is a problem because it makes it so much harder to receive evil (the person that expresses it) with kindness. I think this is a struggle everyone can relate with.
I seem to forget how everything is Hashem. It is all Him. אין עוד מלבדו. Even the pain and all the evil, it is in this world for a reason, a reason deeper than it just having to be overcome and replaced by good deeds (which is an obvious part of jewish practice). By delving into the chassidut of this weeks Torah portion, we can find the answers. Read to the end to understand how it all ties together !!
In Vayigash we learn about Yosefs brothers approaching him, Yehuda pleading for the release of their brother Binyamin. Yosef sees their loyalty and repentance so he reveals his identity – this mighty ruler of Egypt who seemed to have taken their little brother into captivity is actually their brother who they have sold into slavery many years ago, not knowing wether he is alive or not!! How does Yosef deal with his brothers when they actually reunite? Not only does he forgive them in great joy but he sustains them and their families for the rest of their lives with everything they need. Understanding the nature of human evil, Yosef was able to forgive them.
At the end of the day, Yosef would not be the viceroy of Egypt if it wasn’t for the evil act of his brothers. What Yosef did was focus on the positive outcome of this more than hurtful deed instead of focusing on their evil essence.
This can be a reflection of our relationship to G-d; we ask Him to treat us the way Yosef treated his brothers, responding to our misdeeds with kindness through seeing that even they ultimately are for the good. The first step though, is doing the same ourselves, to use our misdeeds as motivation and opportunities for self-improvement, thereby transforming these wrong actions to serve a good purpose. We can really see how even things that are so foul and driven by evil inclinations can be elevated to positivity, to become a tool and vessel for growth.
We can’t escape making mistakes and acting on our animalistic instincts that result in wrong and corrupt deeds. It is simply part of our nature – even the children of our forefather Yaakov, after whom the nation of Israel is named, embody this nature ! Its okay and it is natural. Of course we should never cease to work towards not acting on it but whenever it happens, denial and shame is not going to be helpful. We should see in ourselves how it can be used to grow and see in others how is has an ultimate purpose for good, even when it is very hidden and we are not able to see it.
! Actually acting on it and receiving evil with goodness like Yosef did requires a lot of self-control, it is not easy and a life-long work. Yet I believe that this understanding can be the first step to achieve this refined character-trait.
May this parasha help us internalize the secret of how evil is part of nature but fully has the potential for elevation and hidden blessing – within as well as outside, how we sometimes have to work with it and not against because it is part of us. We are partners in creation, the creation of a beautiful world. This will only happen if we actually do our part in working with our nature and this world, especially when it seems so contradictory to the concept of holiness and a pure soul.
(This is why I love Chabad it is all about being involved in the physical matters to transform, fearlessly facing reality instead of getting lost in a cloud of lofty spirituality.. seeing the spiritual in the material.. revealing the holiness which is covered by impurity..)
I hope this made sense !!!
Shabbat Shalom
(Based on Sicha by Lubavitcher Rebbe)
I loveeeee what you wrote so much to unpack. Yeah I always found it crazy how easy it was so Yosef to forgive his brothers and more when that help them during a famine. But he wasn’t crazy and it wasn’t hard. Because Yosef didn’t define his brothers by their actions how ever harsh they were. He defined them by their essence which was only good (seeing as they were tzadikim). A person is not there actions. There actions are but changeable לבשים, yet we are so quick to judge and react to people based on an action. Blinding the true beauty they have inside by not even giving them the chance to express themselves properly.
Going back to your other point I wanted to add on what you said at the end about how we need to elevate our surroundings rather than dwell in our own spiritual word. In fact that is what we learn from Yosef himself. Being able to go to such a low place like מצרים and elevate and bring light and share light even through discomfort. As an oppose to his brother who had all the light and dwelled in their spiritual worlds.
I always love reading your posts always a good vort to bring into shabbos. You’re such an amazing writer and bring such light and excitement into the Parsha. Keep it up ♥️♥️♥️♥️