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Novi

58

December 11 • 2014

Joseph and his brothers

f you don't have a dream, how're you
sibility for a third time in the parshah.
gonna have a dream come true?" My
Earlier, Jacob asked Joseph to look
mother loves to sing these lyrics from
after his brothers in the field, Potiphar
the musical South Pacific to my 6-month- entrusted him with his home and now,
old daughter, and the words are on my
the jailor assigns Joseph the role of
mind as I read this week's parshah.
overseeing other prisoners, including
This could be Joseph's theme song
Pharaoh's imprisoned butler and baker.
for parshat Vayeshev. There is a recur-
Both the butler and baker have dreams
ring theme of looking at another human
and are distressed when the dreams
being as somehow less human or valu-
aren't interpreted. Joseph asks why they
able than another human being. Though
look so sad, he shows empathy, he cares
he is often looked at as the "othee
for his fellow prisoners, he notices some-
Joseph's story reminds us to see the
thing is different about them and he
humanity in each person, to listen to
wants to listen. While facing adversity,
each person's dream.
Joseph was able to bring positivity to the
Vayeshev begins by intro-
situation.
ducing Jacob's children, in
Joseph's dreams were ignored
MB
by his family and community,
particular Joseph, to whom
Jacob gives a coat of many
and he wants others' dreams to
colors. Words with negative
be heard. Joseph says to his fel-
connotations fill this sec-
low inmates that the interpreta-
tion: Joseph "brings an evil
tion of dreams belongs to God,
report" to Jacob about his
and he proceeds to interpret
brothers; Joseph's brothers
their dreams.
Does Joseph think of himself
hate him for the coat for it
showed their father loved
as a god? I think the Torah is
Davey R
him more, and the brothers
teaching us that through our
"could not speak peaceably
actions we bring God into the
[kindly]" of their brother.
situation, we bring goodness and kind-
Before Joseph could even describe his
ness and humility into difficult moments
first dream to his brothers, the Torah
in our lives and the lives of other people.
tells us they hated him even more. Joseph
As a Jewish educator working with col-
describes his second dream of apparent
lege students, I have the opportunity to
superiority over his family and sharing
support students' dreams as we work to
this dream disappoints even his father.
create Jewish life on campus and beyond.
Amid this family strife, Jacob asks
Vayeshev reminds me of the importance
Joseph to check on his brothers who are
of really listening to each person we meet
in life.
looking after sheep. As the brothers see
Joseph in the distance they decide to kill
Everyone is unique and wants their
him.
dreams to come true. We need to lis-
When conspiring to kill their brother,
ten. ❑
Joseph is not referred to by name. The
Davey Rosen is associate director at the
brothers have formed a nameless mob,
University of Michigan Hillel and is a proud
twice saying, "let's kill him:' and some-
graduate of Hillel Day School Class of '94.
one says, "here comes the master of
dreams:' But it's a nameless mob, we
don't know who is talking. In order to
Conversations
commit such a terrible act, the mob can-
• When someone has listened to
not call their own brother by his name.
you, how has that helped fulfill a
Eventually, Joseph is sold into slavery in
Egypt.
dream?
In Egypt, Joseph works for Potiphar,
• What are some ways you can
show someone that you are listen-
the captain of Pharaoh's guard. Over
ing?
time, Joseph is made overseer of
Potiphar's house. During an argument
• Who is marginalized (the other,
viewed as different) in our com-
with Potiphar's wife, Joseph is referred
munity and what might be our role
to as the Hebrew, pointing out that he is
in supporting their dreams to come
different. Following the argument he is
thrown in jail.
true?
Now in prison, Joseph is given respon-