After
THE BIG IDEA
There is an important idea in Torah consciousness that posits the need to go down in order to rise up. For most of us, this is a hard concept to hold, but the torah trains us to think differently, to hold the paradox of our worst mistakes, sins, and suffering as the places from which deeper good can emerge.
It is perhaps why the Joseph story coincides so well with the Channukah narrative. A brother sold into slavery that rises up to be second to a Pharaoh, like a vessel of pure oil discovered in the rubble of war. No matter how unlikely the odds of success, both the Macabee fighters and Joseph keep God consciousness unrelentingly before themselves at all times, and with that, prevail.
This week’s Torah Omens are clear and essential—no matter what our circumstances we must resist the temptation to slip into a victim narrative. Whether we are up against the Greek empire, Hamas, Hezbollah, or our own brothers. The true fight is to see divinity through it all. In this way Joseph is our best teacher, standing with the divine in the darkest of places, overcoming the pain of alienation and offense (committed by his own brothers) and even elevating them into a higher state of consciousness (when he had the chance to crush them).
This Shabbat, as we leave the lights of Channukah behind, let’s all try our best to channel Joseph’s energy and use it to heal our most blocked places. Focus on the times you are unable to recognize the light (God consciousness) when it is standing right in front of you. (The way Joseph stood unrecognized by his brothers).
The light (God Consciousness) gives us the ability to see, to heal, to fight, and to overcome.
May our precious soldiers return from the darkest of pits (Hamas Tunnels) and emerge whole and healthy and victorious, filled with the consciousness of Joseph and Light of God and lead us to the highest of places - on both the physical and metaphysical plane.
No matter how annoying any Jew is, (even the ones that sit in the middle of the highway protesting) Joseph is our deepest reminder that karma (din) always comes back around. Joseph worked to bring his brothers to a state of inner adjustment for their unforgivable wrong. In his re-encounter with his brothers, Joseph teaches us a way to notice distorted behavior and adjust it without outright punishing - even though to the untrained eye it might look cruel, each gesture was both necessary and touched core (as seen in his intense emotions).
This Shabbat lets all make a pact to recognize the light of one another, the light of the divine that shines bright in each and every one of our eyes. And make the pledge not to let hate come between us ever again - no matter how different we are.
May we learn our lessons from the darkness, make our adjustments, be forgiven, and be re-united in peace.