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Drash for Shabbat Miketz/Hanukkah By Yetta Dritch - December 7, 2007 I researched this week’s parsha, trying to gain different perspectives about Joseph and his family, his betrayal, imprisonment in Egypt, freedom, and finally his struggle to forgive rather than seek revenge. This portion covers about 13 years of Joseph’s life, from the proverbial charmed, 17 year-old, "fair-haired boy," to his being placed in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Elements of Joseph’s story rival any of today’s "R" rated movies— jealousy when Jacob’s sons realize Joseph is favored over them; violence when brothers turned against brother; deceit when the brothers return to their father and say that Joseph is dead; irony when Joseph is saved from the pit, only to be sold into slavery in Egypt; deception when promises by fellow prisoners to help with Joseph’s release were made and broken, and, yes, adult situations when Pharaoh’s wife tried to tempt Joseph into a sexual relationship. Throughout the twists and turns of Joseph’s story, I kept wondering what went through his mind at the moment his brothers betrayed him and left him to die….was it an accident?... are they coming back to rescue me? Imagine Joseph’s anguish when he realized his flesh and blood had betrayed him. He must have endured physical pain, but what must his mental suffering have been? One can only imagine the unspeakable pain that family betrayal brings. Today’s 17 year-olds have iPods and laptops. If only Joseph could have just sent an instant message to his Dad saying, "Hey, Dad, could you swing on over and pick me up? I’m feeling a little bummed out right about now." In the end, Joseph saved Egypt by preparing for the seven years of famine, was rewarded with a position second only to Pharaoh, and was showered with great wealth. Eventually, he forgives his brothers, reunites with his family, and generously provides for all of them in Egypt. Perhaps the moral of this story is that Joseph’s real wealth came when he forgave his brothers for their sins against him and God, and realized that love of family is truly the greatest wealth of all. Shabbat Shalom.
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