פרשת וישב
This week’s parsha focuses on Yosef HaTzaddik. Yosef’s accomplishments are truly astounding. The Torah testifies that Yosef was successful wherever he went, eventually becoming the viceroy of Egypt and saving the entire nation from famine. Moreover, Yosef’s spiritual prowess is evidenced by his prophecy, resisting the temptation of succumbing to Potifar’s wife, and remaining completely committed to the Torah despite being submerged in an alien culture. When reflecting on Yosef’s impact on his family, the land of Egypt, and Jewish history, one can’t help but be amazed by Yosef’s profound effect on humanity as a whole. How did Yosef become so powerful? What is the secret of his success?
Rav Yitzhak Brodiansky, the magnificent Mashgiach of Kol Torah, says that Rashi himself reveals Yosef’s secret. The Torah, when speaking of Yosef’s success, says “Hashem was with him and everything he would do, Hashem would make him successful.” This passuk seems redundant. If Hashem was with Yosef, doesn’t that mean he was successful? Rashi explains that “Hashem was with him” means that he talked about Hashem all the time. This is what made him successful. We see from the Chumash that Yosef constantly mentioned Hashem’s name. When interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, instead of taking credit for himself, Yosef made it very clear that he was just a messenger of G-d and really it is Hashem who knows and reveals all secrets. When tempted to sin with Potifar’s wife, Yosef refused emphatically, saying that he could never sin against G-d. When Yosef revealed his identity to his brothers, he comforted them by saying that Hashem had brought about all these events for the good of the entire family. Yosef’s mode of self-expression – constantly mentioning Hashem’s name – is arguably one the most pronounced of any figure in sefer Breishis. This was the key to his success. Rabbeinu Yona, commenting on Mishlei 3:6, adds that this isn’t only a segula for people like Yosef HaTzaddik. Any person who constantly brings Hashem into his speech, even in small matters, like saying “baruch Hashem,” “b’ezras Hashem” or “im yirtzeh Hashem” is promised great things if he really connects himself to what he is saying.
The Sfas Emes says something else incredible about the value of constantly having Hashem’s name on the tip of one’s tongue. It saves one from sin. The Midrash tells us that when Potifar’s wife presented herself to Yosef and audaciously attempted to seduce him, Yosef drew inspiration from envisioning his father. What triggered Yosef to conjure up the image of his father? The Sfas Emes explains that Yosef wasn’t the first person to have Hashem’s name flutter incessantly through his lips; his father Yaakov was. Yaakov’s own speech was so distinguished by his mentioning Hashem’s name that even when he tried to disguise himself and pretend he was Esav in order to get the brachos, Yitzhak Avinu couldn’t help but notice that “the voice is the voice of Yaakov!!!” Yosef HaTzaddik, walking in his father’s footsteps at this moment chose to remember his father’s ways and how he lived constantly with Hashem. By keeping Hashem’s name close to his own heart, Yosef merited to stay true to the ideal of his father and the will of Hashem. The Vilna Gaon says in Mishlei that when a person is constantly mindful of G-d it’s impossible to sin. It’s only because we remove Hashem from our immediate consciousness that sinning becomes possible. However, if Hashem’s name is declared in almost every sentence that we speak we can be sure that the fear of Hashem will be in our minds and hearts as well.
I was once sitting next to a very distinguished talmid chacham who also happens to be a very good friend of mine. It was just after one of the wars in Israel in which there were many open miracles. The religious newspapers chronicled these marvels and many of the stories were very inspiring. My friend pointed out that the same stories were printed in the secular newspapers as well with a much more “natural” twist, ignoring the Divine Providence that clearly guided these events. “Why do they take Hashem out of the picture?” asked my friend. “Any other country or people would openly attribute all these miracles to G-d!” My friend then gave a small smile and gently said, “When a goy talks about Hashem, it’s just talk. When a Jew talks about Hashem, he can’t help but obligate himself to do His will as well.”
To conclude, here is a small related thought on Chanuka. The Rambam writes in chapter 4 of Hilchos Chanuka that the mitzvah of lighting Chanuka candles is a “dear mitzvah.” The Rambam explains that this mitzvah has such a special status because it stands as a commemoration of the miracles and inspires us to increase our praise of Hashem and express our gratitude towards Him. Rav Brodiansky asks: What makes Chanuka so special? There are other holidays as well that commemorate even bigger miracles and are also very inspiring. On Passover the sea split, on Sukkos we were surrounded by the Clouds of Glory, and on Shavuos we saw the very revelation of G-d Himself! What’s unique about Chanuka? Rav Brodiansky answers that in the time of all the aforementioned holidays, Hashem’s presence was continuous and miraculous. When Hashem’s hand is clearly seen as directing one’s fate, it’s easy to keep Hashem in mind. However, the miracle of Chanuka happened in the darkest of times when the atheistic culture of the Greeks threatened to utterly erase Hashem from the consciousness of the Jewish nation. Greek influence was so strong that many Jews faltered in their faith and adopted Hellenist beliefs. Without G-d’s hand being constantly there to guide us, many unfortunately came to the conclusion that miracles could no longer happen. The real miracle of Chanuka is that we realized that this was not the case. When a few Jews defeated the mighty Greek empire and the holy oil lasted for 8 days, specifically the amount of time necessary to get new oil, Hashem clearly demonstrated the He was still with us. To know that the Jewish people are always capable of achieving this understanding and appreciation that Hashem is still with us is what makes Chanuka so special. On Chanuka we thank Hashem that we can thank Hashem. To be able to walk with Hashem even when our holy lives seem to be mundane is really what makes lighting Chanuka candles so dear.
B’ezras Hashem, may we all be zoche to a Happy Chanuka!!!