The first word, and title, of our sedra is not a happy one. As the gemarra (Sanhedrin 106a) tells us, the word ‘vayeishev’ connotes and introduces a painful event. Similarly, Rashi (37:2) reveals that it was when Yaakov ‘wanted to sit in peace’ that the Yosef story (the brothers selling him, etc.) was thrust upon him. Why is sitting down so painful? The idea is that sitting down connotes a degree of stagnation. In Judaism we are constantly seeking to spiritually grow; being still is not an option. This is one idea of the mizbeyach having a ramp instead of stairs. Just like a ball on a ramp either moves up or down - it cannot just stay there motionless - so too in order to achieve closeness to HaShem we need to realise that we cannot ever stay spiritually still; we are either moving up or down. This is why vayeishev connotes pain. For sitting down is the ultimate representation and manifestation of being still - not moving. Thus, sitting still is spiritually damaging, which can cause HaShem to send physical trials and tests in order that we move and become proactive in doing something to further our religious level. So, on Yaakov’s supernal level, at some level he wanted to ‘sit back’ and enjoy a more comfortable life free from his past tragedies and pains. But HaShem disagreed; this world is not for being comfortable, and so HaShem sent him the Yosef episode to test Yaakov and further his emunah.
Parashas Vayeishev After all the obstacles Yaakov has had to overcome in order to reach Canaan, the first word of this weeks parasha implies that at last Yaakov can finally ‘שב/shev’, sit or settle, in the land. As the famous phrase says however, no rest for the righteous! (For the record, I never rest). Rashi implies that although the righteous are obviously entitled to tranquility, Yaakov had not completed his mission yet as he still had an important part to play in preparing the way for the future of the nation. Though the righteous seek tranquility, Hashem asks… ‘Are the righteous not satisfied with what awaits them in the World to Come that they expect to live in ease in this World too?’ This provides insight into how we are judged according to our own unique standards, set by Hashem based on situation and ability etc. Yaakov, being at the top of the food chain when it comes to serving Hashem should have known better than to try and ‘sit’ his final days out.
A similar analogy could be found if Gordon Brown fell asleep in parliament… this would be completely unacceptable behavior, whereas if the MP for Cornwall was schluffing in the back row no one would even take notice as it is pretty much in an MP’s job description anyway. Another lesson to learn from this is as a Jew we should never be static in life, a Jew should always be looking to improve on himself, even at such a late age in life there are no excuses. Yaakov’s worst aggravations with the on coming episodes involving Yoseph come as a result of this astaticism (big word, I know). The Torah states that… ‘Israel (Yaakov) loved Yoseph more than all his sons’, this seems a strange way to behave for someone as holy as Yaakov but just as Avraham favoured Yitzhak over Ishmael, and Yitzhak then favoured Yaakov over Esav, Yaakov had good reason too with his astute recognition of Yoseph’s spiritual and intellectual superiority. This idea is reinforced by Rabbi Bachya’s observation that the Torah uses the name Israel here rather than Yaakov, implying his choice was a function of greatness, not frailty.
Regardless of Yaakov’s intentions, we can learn from his mistake of favouring Yoseph, something which all parents are discouraged from doing as it can lead to jealousy and even hatred from siblings, which is spelt out in the subsequent events. Although the Torah informs us of how Yoseph ‘would bring evil reports about [his brothers]’ to Yaakov it isn’t until he is given ‘a fine woolen tunic’ (Yes, that famous coat of many colours) that the Torah actually states that they hated him. This Tunic appears to be the beginning of the end for Yoseph and any brotherly love he was hoping for, as with this garment the brothers confirmed their suspicions that just as Ishmael and Esav had been discarded in previous generation, so to they would be with Yoseph stealing the limelight. The tunic was given as a sign of leadership as Yoseph was elevated to the status of ‘first born’ after Reuven (the actual first born) discredited himself from the position after tampering with Yaakov’s bed (Vayishlach 35:22). Rashi
After all the obstacles Yaakov has had to overcome in order to reach Canaan, the first word of this weeks parasha implies that at last Yaakov can finally ‘שב/shev’, sit or settle, in the land. As the famous phrase says however, no rest for the righteous! (For the record, I never rest). Rashi implies that although the righteous are obviously entitled to tranquility, Yaakov had not completed his mission yet as he still had an important part to play in preparing the way for the future of the nation. Though the righteous seek tranquility, Hashem asks… ‘Are the righteous not satisfied with what awaits them in the World to Come that they expect to live in ease in this World too?’ This provides insight into how we are judged according to our own unique standards, set by Hashem based on situation and ability etc. Yaakov, being at the top of the food chain when it comes to serving Hashem should have known better than to try and ‘sit’ his final days out.
We read in Parshas Vayeishev that Yosef held firm to his faith in Hashem, no matter what was thrown at him. His never give up, never surrender attitude served him well throughout his life. To Yosef, despite the apparent difficulties of his situation, all that counted was that he maintained the attitude and action of a faith-based person, to keep moving forward.
We all memorized Adon Olam in our youth, but how many of us actually base our decisions on its last stanza, which is commonly translated: I rest my spirit
At the end of this week’s parsha, the Torah describes Joseph’s interpreting the dreams of the chief baker and butler. Joseph told the butler that he would be returned to his position on Pharaoh’s staff. When the baker heard that his companion’s dream was interpreted favorably, he also asked to have his dream interpreted. Much to the baker’s surprise, Joseph informed him that his dream indicated that he would soon be executed. And so it went, that the butler was freed from jail and given back his old job, while the baker was beheaded. Before the butler left the jail, Joseph requested of him one favor: “If only you would remember me when [Pharaoh] does good to you, and you will do me a kindness, if you please, and mention me to Pharaoh, then you would get me removed from this jail”
