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56
December 6 • 2018
jn
J
acob’s sons could recognize that
Radak (Rabbi David Kimhi, 1160-
a pervasive famine meant their
1235) suggests that it may have been
families were on the brink of star- impossible for Joseph’s brothers to
vation. They knew there was
imagine that someone who
food in Egypt, and that they
had been sold into slavery
could buy food from the one
could rise to a position of
very powerful man who was
such power. This is under-
in charge of its distribution.
standable, too.
What they did not know
After all, the power dynam-
was that this man was their
ic between him and his broth-
brother Joseph, whom they
ers has also been completely
Rabbi Ariana
sold into slavery when he
reversed. The brothers, who
Silverman
Contributing Writer
was a teenager. They came
once held Joseph’s life in their
before Joseph, bowed low, and
hands and convinced Jacob
Parshat
“When Joseph saw his broth-
that Joseph was dead, are now
Mikketz:
ers he recognized them, but
dependent on Joseph for their
Genesis
he pretended to be a stranger
own survival.
41:1-44:17;
to them and spoke roughly to
It is only when Joseph’s
Numbers
them ... Joseph recognized his
brothers begin to express their
28:9-15;
brothers, but they did not rec-
love and remorse, their loyalty
ognize him.” (42:7-8)
and humility, that Joseph is
7:42-47.
It is a striking imbalance.
able to reveal himself to them;
(Shabbat
Why did the brothers not rec-
and they are able to finally
Rosh
ognize Joseph? This question
recognize him.
Chodesh
bothered our sages as well.
The text can motivate us
Chanukah)
Talmudic sources suggest that
to examine our own relation-
the brothers did not recognize
ships. If we identify somebody
Joseph because he had a beard; and
by their outward appearance, or by
when they last saw him, he was too
their status or power, do we ever
young to have one. Commentators
really recognize them? What else are
have also suggested that it was
we missing when we exist in trans-
because he was speaking a differ-
actional relationships? What is going
ent language and wearing Egyptian
unnoticed? We may find it surprising
clothes.
that Joseph’s own brothers do not
Our outward appearance, includ-
recognize him, but whom are we fail-
ing facial hair and clothing, do
ing to truly recognize?
contribute to identification. The
This year at Chanukah, as we
verb “to recognize” is l’hakir, which
see the faces of family and friends
is also used when the brothers have
illuminated, let us take the time to
sold Joseph into slavery and covered
truly see them. And as we do, let us
his coat in goat’s blood. They said
reflect on our relationships with the
to their father Jacob, “‘We found
people whom we recognize based on
this; do you recognize it? It is your
their appearance or power, but not
son’s coat!’ He recognized it, say-
by their humanity. Their life, or ours,
ing, ‘My son’s coat! A wild animal
may depend on it. ■
has devoured him! Joseph has been
Rabbi Ariana Silverman is the rabbi of the
ripped to shreds!’”(37:32-33)
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. She lives
In addition to our clothing, we
in Detroit with her family.
are also identified by our status.