Torah Portion of the Week
Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion
וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן׃
Va-ye-shev Ya-a-kov b’e-retz m’gu-rei a-viv b’e-retz K’na-an.
And Jacob settled in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.
Genesis 37:1
Vayeishev means “and he settled.” Vayeishev begins the famous Joseph story, a story that continues until the end of the Book of Genesis. Joseph had a lot going for him in life—he was handsome, a firstborn son to Jacob through Rachel, favored by his father, and had a comfortable life. Yet, he was hated by his brothers, thrown into a pit, torn away from his family, sold into slavery in a foreign land, and put into prison due to false accusations.
Even though it seemed that Joseph would spend the rest of his life in prison, alone, and away from his family, things eventually changed. He gained favor with Pharaoh and soon rose to be viceroy of Egypt—the most powerful empire at that time. Because of it, he was able to save his family from a severe famine. In the end, all that seemed bad was turned around for the good.
Joseph was able to rise above his circumstances and come out successful. God was always with him, and he never stopped believing in God. He knew that everything was part of the Almighty’s plan. Despite all that Joseph went through, he seemed positive, and we don’t get the feeling that he looked at things negatively. If there was someone who taught us how to look at our situations in a positive light, it was Joseph. When it came down to it, we see his response to everything he had gone through: “And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life” (JPS 1917, Gen. 45:5).
From Prison to the Palace
Joseph’s perspective was his key. He could have given up, he could have sulked in loneliness, he could have believed the very worst, he could have let anger overtake him. But he didn’t. He understood that God is always in control of everything.
What is your approach to the circumstances and obstacles you are faced with? Do you become a victim of your circumstance? Are you held up in the prison of your mind because of what someone has done to you? Are you angry, hurt, bitter, depressed, wounded?
Reaching an awareness that everything is part of God’s plan is the very thing that will set you free in your mind from the hurt of your circumstance, and help you to get rid of the anger, resentment, bitterness, and hate. It will allow you to move forward in a more positive way. You may go through very difficult periods, and it might take some effort to find the good in what seems bad, but remaining positive will help you feel like you can manage, make it through, and come out on top. Remember that difficult periods in life give you the opportunity to refine your character, find strength in God, and learn how to find positive in the negative.
Sometimes it’s not about whether or not you can see the light at the end of the tunnel; it’s about believing that it’s there. Your attitude will create your focus. Your attitude is your decision. Decide to be positive. Seize and maximize the moments that are worthy of celebration. Your happiest days are just ahead. Your assignment is achievable. Your perspective is the key that will take you from the prison to the palace.
Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words
| a | [a] as in arm |
| ai | [ai] as in Thailand |
| e | [e] as in red |
| ei | [ei] as in eight |
| i | [i] as in ski |
| o | [o] as in score |
| oi | [oi] as in oil |
| u | [u] as in rule |
| ui | [ui] as in gluing |
| ch/kh | [ch] as in the Scottish loch |
| g | [g] as in good (not as in giant) |
| tz | [ts] as in hats |
| ‘ | short “eh” or “uh” sound |
The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash®
