Rabbi Roodyn

This week’s parsha is full of drama and emotion, starting with conflict and ending with reconciliation.

Whilst there is much to say on every aspect of the parsha, one theme that is very significant is that of unity. Regardless of the greatness he has achieved in his role in Egypt he knows that his real role in life is as one of the 12 tribes who will ultimately build the Jewish people. The charade at the beginning of the parsha is a ruse to both bring about a fulfilment of the dreams and to bring the brothers to a sense of awareness of the enormity of their crime in selling him as a slave.

Once those objectives have been realised, Yosef can no longer hold back as says הוציאו כל איש מעלי, take out every man from in front of me. At the point of reconciliation there can be no איש, ego in the room. This is the time for them to reunite and come together as one, without trying to score points or rehash old arguments.

As individuals who stand alone, we are very vulnerable. At the same time, we have never been a numerous people as the Torah says כי אתם המעט מכל העמים, for you are the smallest of all the nations. Rather our strength comes from our togetherness, of letting go of our personal interests and egos and working together for the big picture. When we come together we can truly reveal Hashem into the world as the pasuk says  at the end of the Torah, And He was King in Yeshurun, whenever the sum total of the people were gathered, and the tribes of Israel were together.

Good Shabbos