Parshat Vayeshev; Genesis 37:1 -40:23 By: rabbi Denise L. Eger
Once again the narrative of Genesis begins to shift to the stories of the next generation. This week we begin to focus on the story of Joseph and his brothers, the sons of Jacob.
Joseph is a dreamer. He has fantastic dreams that will see into the future. Joseph dreams that he will rise up above his brothers and they will bow to him. In his first dream he is a sheaf of wheat and the others bow to him and then he dreams that the heavenly orbs, sun, moon and 11 stars (interpreted as his 11 brothers and parents) bow to him. Joseph interprets his dreams to his brothers and father but they do not heed him. Joseph the favorite of his father Jacob inspired nothing but jealousy in his brothers. His dreams added to their anger and hatred of him. It clouded their vision of this prophet.
Joseph is able to see beyond himself into the future. At the end of this week’s parasha after Joseph’s brothers have sold him into slavery, Joseph has been transported by caravan to Egypt. Joseph lands in prison for refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. There too Joseph correctly interprets dreams of the pharaoh’s cupbearer and the chief baker.
Throughout this portion, Vayeshev, we come to learn of Joseph’s strengths and weaknesses. It is clear that Joseph is favored not only by his father but by God. Several times we learn, “God was with him and God lent success to everything he undertook.” (Gen. 39:3). There are many people that Joseph encounters this week who see this. Potiphar who bought Joseph from the caravan, saw that God was with him. The chief jailer too, saw the blessing of God upon Joseph and put him in charge of the other prisoners. Their eyes are opened to the divine and the divine blessing that is upon Joseph.
Potiphar’s wife, although “she cast her eyes” (Gen 29:7) upon Joseph, doesn’t see him for who he really is. Although his father Jacob favors him and makes a tunic for him, he only sees his beloved wife Rachel in him who died giving birth to his younger brother Benjamin. And certainly his brothers do not see Joseph for the prophet that he is. They only see rage and anger at the tale-bearer Joseph who is put in the position by his father of reporting upon his brothers’ behavior while tending the sheep.
This theme of vision and seeing someone for who they really are is woven throughout the portion. Sometimes we see but do not really see the person before us. This theme is even woven through the story of Judah and Tamar that is part of this week’s portion but interrupts the Joseph story. In this part of Vayeshev, Judah (Joseph’s brother) doesn’t see his own children for who they are, nor see his daughter–in-law Tamar properly. She waits for her father-in-law at “petach Einaim” (Gen. 38:14) the entrance to Einaim, but translated this is “the opening of the eyes”. Tamar waits at a place named opening of the eyes—just as she is about to open Judah’s eyes to the duty of taking care of the widow in your midst!
The many stories of this week’s portion call out to us to really see who is before us. See them in their fullness and not be clouded by our emotions of lust or anger, sadness or fear. We are taught by our tradition that we are b’tzelem Elohim, made in the image of God. Perhaps this week we are reminded to see in the divine image in each person no matter their station in life prophet, priest, or prisoner. Then perhaps we can bring the divine blessing not only into our own lives but the life of the world!
Posted by Aaron at November 26, 2007 12:45 PM
