A Great Story - Parshat Vayigash
Everyone loves a good story. The intrigue. The emotion. The thrill. The secrets. The ability to read the story again and again and never tire of it - even when you know the end. And of course there's the 'happy end'.
This week's parsha, Parshat Vayigash has all the elements of a great story as it provides us with one of the most exciting and thrilling stories that never dies. The story of Joseph and his brothers has all of the elements of a Hollywood hit and in fact became a Broadway hit.
The climax of the story is reached as Judah pleads for his brother Benjamin to be spared. He cries out to the Egyptian viceroy saying: "How will I go up to my father and the boy (Benjamin) is not with me?"1
The heart-wrenching plea to the viceroy's emotions was overwhelming and Joseph, on the verge of tears, calls for all to leave the hall, where he is holding court, in order to reveal all.
The question which Judah asked: "How will I go up to my father?" has often been used by rabbis in the Mussar and Chassidic movements to describe the sense we need to internalize for use in our daily lives as well as in preparation for our own Day of Judgment. When we do so, it is easier for us to guide ourselves on our own path to meaning. The Sfas Emmes of Gur goes so far as to say that even simply asking ourselves this powerful question in a true and self-searching manner is enough to initiate a process of repentance.
How will we want to go up to our Father?
There is meaning in our lives. Our lives can even be that 'great story'. At any given moment we can make the choice to go in the path of our unique meaning or a different path. It is our choice. Do we wish to follow our own desires - short-termed as they may be - at the expense of a long-term plan? When we follow a path of meaning, we have, as Viktor Frankl, founder of logotherapy, pointed out, we live a happier, fuller life. When the "is" and the "ought" merge with each other we can even experience a kind of high. How wonderful a sensation it is during those rare moments when we are truly on our own individual path - and are aware of it!!!
How will I want to go up to my father? I would want to go with my head held high, proud of what I'd done during my sojourn here. Is that always easy? No. Am I always successful? No, but it's a goal that I set for myself. And working towards that goal gives me the strength and the courage to continue even when I am not perfect.
Judah asked the question from a sense of responsibility he had towards his family, his brother. We can ask the same question from a sense of responsibility - towards ourselves. We all have meaning. Let us locate it, use it, make our own 'great story' and be prepared to answer Judah's question.
- Bereishit 44:34
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Have A Great Shabbat!
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