Parshat Vayeshev
Gen. Ch. 37:4. “When his (Joseph’s) brothers saw that it was he whom their father loved above all of his brothers – from then on they hated him, and could not speak to him in peace.”
This week of Thanksgiving, when many of us are with family, we have a parsha about family strife. Joseph’s brothers were so caught in their feelings of anger, jealousy and resentment that they were unable to be at peace with him. These feelings were understandable since Joseph lauded over them and recounted to them dreams in which they bowed down to him. Yet the brothers were enslaved by their feelings.
As we spend time with family can we notice our feelings and expectations for how we want people to be with each other? Can we see the histories of the relationships and have compassion for where each one is, as well as for ourselves? Can we wish each person simach (joy), chesed (lovingkindness), rachamim (compassion), and shalom (peace)? May the holiday be a blessing.
{thanks to Morechai Liebling for inspiration for this drash)
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