Both Sides Are Holy

Every decent person realizes that, although the results might be the same, they should always choose a positive and regal means of achieving a good end. The ends do not justify the means.

Joseph: Ahead of His Time

Parshas Vayeishev is the first Torah portion that features a conflict between two sides both of which were righteous, in stark contrast to earlier Torah portions.

There is, in fact, an entire literature devoted to the analysis of the dispute between Joseph and his brothers. According to our sages both sides had good and noble intentions.

Of all that has been said in classical Jewish sources about the differences between Joseph and his brothers two things are clear:

Firstly, both sides were rooted in goodness and holiness.

Secondly, notwithstanding the good intentions of the brothers, in the end Joseph’s position prevailed.

Joseph our sages tell us was a prophet. Joseph was ahead of his time. Joseph’s prophetic dream about his brothers bowing down to him, was G-d’s way of telling the world that Joseph in his role as viceroy would ultimately save the entire world from famine.

At the time Joseph made the prophetic prediction, no one could comprehend how it could be possible that he was a prophet and he would become their king.

Joseph More Spiritual?

To all appearances, Joseph was more worldly than his brothers and the Patriarchs who were all shepherds. The reason they were shepherds, our sages explain, was to be detached from the distractions of urban life, so that they could concentrate on more G-dly pursuits.

Joseph, by contrast, always gravitated towards the more outwardly ephemeral pursuits, leading them to believe that his spirituality was inferior to theirs; certainly inferior to Jacob’s. How then, they protested, can he become their master?

In truth, Joseph was on a higher level. He was able to maintain his spiritual standing even when he was a leader of Egypt.

Vindicated

In the end, the position of the brothers was also vindicated. They were the ones, Joseph told them, who, indirectly, facilitated the entire salvation of the world.

In the end, both Joseph - with his prophetic message and his brothers - with their hatred towards him - facilitated the salvation of the world.

Take the High Road!

There is, however, a stark difference between the two. While Joseph’s brothers were actually instrumental in fulfilling Joseph’s prophetic dreams, the method they chose was unfortunate. While in the end, sometimes their mistakes proved to be beneficial, they were faulted for their sale of Joseph.

According to a Midrashic source, the very reason the Jewish people had to suffer as slaves in Egypt was a punishment for the sale of Joseph.

The lesson of Joseph and his brothers is that while G-d has mysterious ways of getting His will to come to fruition, we must choose the high road. G-d has infinite ways of making His plan for the world come true.

The same can be said for the realization of the prophecies concerning Moshiach and Redemption. When we look at the negatives in our world we must believe that they are all part of the unfolding of G-d’s plan. Yet, we should never rationalize errant behavior with the justification that it will bring good results in the end.

Every decent person realizes that, though the results might be the same, they should always choose a positive and regal means of achieving a good end. The ends do not justify the means.

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Vayeishev by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.