In this week's parsha Yosef the viceroy of Egypt, finally reveals to his brothers his true identity. The brothers react with shock and a certain amount of fear that he will take vengeance on them for selling him into slavery. Instead Yosef comforts them and explains that it was all part of Hashem's plan to bring him to Egypt so he could provide for the entire family during the famine which struck the world.

There is so much that we can learn from this story but two major points are how the brothers felt when the reality was revealed to them and Yosef's reaction.

Although we can't fully understand what was behind the actions of the brothers and they were obviously on an entirely different spiritual plane than we are, nevertheless, it seems that they understood that the way they treated Yosef was not appropriate. When they finally had to "face the music" for their actions they were shamed and fearful. This encounter can help us internalize that when we are faced with a challenge and a choice whether to follow in the Will of G-d or not, that we will eventually have to face the music as well for our inappropriate actions. We will be filled with shame that we rebelled against G-d who is so good to us.

Conversely, we can see how Yosef reacted when he was in a situation to avenge and grow angry at his brothers for wronging him. Instead of taking vengeance and being angry, Yosef reassured his brothers that he harbored no ill-will and that he understood that everything was orchestrated by G-d. When we are wronged by people as well we can look to blame and take revenge on the other party or we can understand that they are in fact, "messengers" so to speak of G-d. This doesn't mean that they will not have to ultimately answer for their deeds, but it does mean that we should understand that even he wrong they did was orchestrated from Above.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath