Vayigash: How Can I Go to My Father?
Wednesday, December 27, 2006 / 6 Teves 5767
“For how can I go up to my father if the youth is not with me, lest I see the evil that will befall my father!” (Bereishis/Genesis 44:34)
After a long and exhausting ordeal the storyline peaks to a crescendo as Yehuda states the famous words – “{Then Judah approached him and said} if you please, my lord, may your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears…” (Bereishis/Genesis 44:18)
He concludes his speech lamenting, “For how can I go up…” (Ibid.) For further meaning we turn to Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch who sheds light on the aforementioned verse.
He explains that the verse actually is hinting to us to examine our own actions. We must contemplate, “How can I go up to my father” when I haven’t corrected my behaviors and atoned for my sins!
We all tend to live our lives on autopilot and seemingly forget to take stock of our actions and atone appropriately. We must make mental note of this explanation and incorporate it onto our game plan for life.
The following story related by Rabbi Yisrael Reisman this past Motzai Shabbos in his weekly address drives the lesson home.
He related how his father once asked a Rabbi the following question. “I have workers at my business who are not performing to the best of their abilities. Is that grounds for dismissal?”
The Rabbi then asked him, “Do they give fifty-percent?”
“Yes”, replied Mr. Reisman.
The Rabbi then asked, “When Hashem looks down on you, does he see fifty-percent?”
Ouch. The lesson is clear. We must immediately take stock of our actions, and harness our energy and will power to get ourselves back on track. By doing so will we merit divine assistance, good fortune, happiness and health.
Good Shabbos!
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Vayigash: Ethical Leadership
Friday, December 14, 2007 / 5 Teves 5768
“Joseph sustained his father and his brothers and all of his father’s household with food according to the children.” (47:12)
Rashi comments; ‘According to the children – according to the need of all the members of their household.’
The Mizrahi explains further, that the number of children was not the only criterion that Joseph took into account when he apportioned the food. Rather, he calculated every need including the small children who waste food by making crumbs.
Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch writes that during the famine, when food was scarce and the food was rationed by Joseph, he did not make an exception for his father and his family and they received only what they were entitled to.
Although he had the power to ‘make an exception’, he did not bend the rules and ‘suffered’ along with the rest of the populace. Joseph was a leader whose heart was with his people.
The following story illustrates such a concept.
During the World War, the great Rabbi Chaim Brisker was a refugee in the city of Minsk. Food was scarce, and people would receive rations. Naturally, the locals wanted very much to provide their illustrious ‘guest’ with a portion.
Despite the obvious hardship, he refused.
He told them that being that he was not really a resident of the town, he wasn’t entitled to a portion. He was not prepared to benefit on the account of others.
There are many times when we find ourselves in positions where we carry influence. However, such power carries a burden of responsibility. When in a leadership role, it is imperative that we fulfill our tasks in a responsible and ethical manner.
There should be no exceptions, but standard policy that applies whether it’s your friend or a random stranger. We must strive to ensure that our dealings remain honest and just and are in line with the Torah.
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