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Smith Mediation Center

Divorce Mediation

Develop
Your Talents

A

s a new rabbi to the area,
I have spent the past t few
months meeting a whole
world of new people — both at Temple
Beth El and beyond. As I continue to
transition into my role and discover
my new home, I find myself drawn to
the figure of our forefather Joseph.
Joseph is a man on a lengthy
journey to become the person he is
meant to be. Being new in my role, I
feel particularly aware of the myriad
actions I make every single day that
shape who I am and how others see
and does not deny or minimize it —
me. In Joseph, I find a model who
grows from self-absorption to being in yet now we find that God is a key part
of the team as well. In fact, this is the
active relationship with God. Joseph’s
first time that Joseph acknowledges
three instances of dream interpreta-
God in any way! Through
tion shine a light on his spiritual
the same inborn skill that
development over time.
previously got him into
When we initially encounter
trouble, Joseph instead
Joseph, he is a swaggering youth.
finds room to connect with
He eagerly shares his dreams
the Divine.
and their interpretations with
Joseph’s transformation is
his family, who seem to consider
further underscored in this
them irritating delusions of
portion, when, two years
grandeur to simply add to the
Rabbi Megan
later, he is called upon to
list of his annoying behaviors.
Brudney
interpret Pharaoh’s dreams
Joseph comes off as self-aggran-
for him. Pharaoh summons
dizing and obnoxious, with no
Joseph from jail and remarks on his
regard for how others might experi-
well-known skill. This time, Joseph’s
ence him. This early version of Joseph
answer is even more dramatic: “Not
is highly self-oriented.
The next time Joseph has the chance I! God will see to Pharaoh’s welfare”
(Genesis 41:16). This time, Joseph
to interpret dreams, we encounter
claims to remove himself entirely from
a person living in entirely different
the process — while also running the
circumstances with an entirely differ-
risk of offending the most powerful
ent attitude. Joseph has been sold into
slavery by his own brothers, bought by man in his universe with his answer.
an Egyptian man to serve in his house- Yet Joseph is determined to honor God
with his gift.
hold and then sent to jail after falsely
We, like Joseph, can choose to seek
being accused of rape.
out God — in whatever form God
When his fellow inmates mention
might take — and to connect with
that they are troubled by bad dreams
and lack an interpreter, Joseph steps in God through the practice of our own
skills and talents.
right away. Yet this is hardly the ego-
I pray we will all pursue the trans-
tistical Joseph of yesteryear, eager to
show off and unaware of the impact of formation and connection that Joseph
his behavior. Instead, Joseph responds: found that led him to his better self.
“Surely God can interpret! Tell me
Rabbi Megan Brudney is a rabbi at Temple Beth
[your dreams]” (Genesis 40:8).
Joseph has the same talent as before, El in Bloomfield Township.

Parshat Miketz:
Genesis 41:1-44:17;
(Shabbat Chanukah)
Zechariah:14-4:7.

*

M

ediation is an alternative that can help you retain more
time, money, and privacy during your legal battle.
Barbara Smith, J.D., former district court magistrate
and administrative law judge with more than 25 years of legal
experience, lends her unique blend of reason, calmness and
tenacity to the process, helping guide opposing parties to mutually
agreeable solutions. She has successfully mediated hundreds of
cases over the past decade.

Bloomfi eld Hills | 248.646.8000

www.michigan-divorce-mediation.com

2043970

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December 29 • 2016

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