As it is quite rare to have Chanukah coincide with Parshas Vayeishev, I thought it would be appropriate to emphasize a pertinent point from one of the main narratives that unfolds within its pesukim.
A major theme of this week’s parsha is the machlokes and the jealousy between the shevatim and Yosef – the repercussions of which are still being felt throughout our storied history. Unfortunately, when it comes to arguments and disagreements within families, history tends to repeat itself. Yet the Torah goes out of its way to stress how important is the bracha of peace between brothers.
We happen to find a perfect example in the opening words of Tehillim 133, a kappital that some have the custom of saying each night of Chanukah. Hinei mah tov umah na’im, sheves achim gam yachad. How good and sweet it is when there is unity among the brothers of Klal Yisroel. In fact, what can be defined as the pinnacle of our national existence is when we reached the ideal level of unity while camped at Har Sinai – we were k’ish echad b’lev echad.
It was only last week at this time that we were inspired by the parsha, and highlighted a song by Yonatan Razel entitled, “Katonti.” So this week, in the spirit of brotherhood, I felt that it would be best if we featured a touching melody that was composed by one of Yonatan’s brothers, and thus drive home the point just a little bit more. Es Achai, the poignant tune of choice, was composed by the wonderfully talented Aaron Razel, and is passionately sung by none other than Mordechai Ben David on MBD’s 2010 album entitled Kulom Ahuvim. The lyrics are found in this week’s parsha (37:16) where we find a young Yosef HaTzaddik on his quest to locate his brothers and to inquire of their well-being. Along the way, he is stopped by a stranger – the malach Gavriel – who asks him what he’s looking for. Yosef replies, “Es achai anochi mevakesh, hagidah nah li eifoh heim ro’im?” – ‘I am looking for my brothers… Can you tell me where they are?’ The stranger then tells him that they went to Dosan, and Yosef continues on his way.
Now, if we could stop here and reflect just for a moment, I’ve always wondered (it is my Bar Mitzvah parsha, after all) why the Torah records this “random” encounter. Does the Torah record every conversation that ever took place? Surely our Biblical ancestors spoke more than what is written in the Torah, so what is the Torah teaching us by describing this brief interaction that Yosef had while on his way to find his brothers?
The answer is that what happened in this exchange was obviously much more than meets the eye. I think that it was in this fateful encounter that Yosef would unequivocally commit himself to “looking after” his brothers. ‘I am now, and always will look out for my brothers, seeing to it that they are safe and kept out of harm’s way.’ In this seemingly innocent response, Yosef would establish in the mindset of each generation that followed, the need to do the same; that no matter what we are doing or where we are headed, we must always look out for the well-being of our brothers and sisters – our fellow members of Klal Yisroel. When we act in this manner and strive to keep our strong national brotherhood intact, then and only then, can we rectify the grave discord that existed in Dosan all those years ago.
Wishing all of you a unifying Shabbos Chanukah!
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