Being Different 

by Rabbi Holman

 

The Parshiot of these recent weeks describe a Jewish people who emanate from different mothers and develop into different tribes with perceivable tensions. The competition between Rachel and Leah to build the nation stands out. When Rachel dies during this calendar week and Yaakov moves his couch into Bilha's tent, Reuven protests for his mother and moves the couch into Leah's tent. Eventually, Yosef (Rachel's first born) receives the colored coat, drawing the resentment of the other brothers, who eventually sell Yosef into slavery. When you step back, you have to ask why G-d set it up this way. What's the big plan?  Why are there multiple mothers and various tribes? Wouldn't it have been better for G-d to start with a simple, nuclear family and build a unified nation without tensions?

In a few weeks, we will see how Yosef, as viceroy of Egypt, accuses his brothers of being spies and forces them to bring Binyamin down to Egypt, who in Yosef's absence became Yaakov's favorite. Hiding the silver chalice in Binyamin's bag, Yosef accuses Binyamin of theft and attempts to make Binyamin his slave. What was Yosef attempting with this move? He wanted to see if the brothers would overcome their latent jealousy, put rivalries aside, and stand up for Binyamin. In essence, Yosef was looking for everyone to rise above petty self-interest and unify as a family, and they did!

This was G-d's intention all along when He built all of the differences into the system from the start, because ultimately that is our mission and challenge that He laid out for us in this world. He wants us to be part of a diverse world where we all rise to the challenge to put our petty self-interests aside and care about one another. Shabbat Shalom!

Thank you for your support!