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Parasha Vayeishev : Why Joseph Had to be Sold

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muman613:
In a previous post I made concerning something a 'rabbi' said concerning the football player Tebow, comparing him to Joseph, I commented that it was necessary for Joseph to be hated by his brothers. This concept is spelled out in this article written by Rabbi Shafier as posted on Israel National News..

The concept is that everything which happens to us, whether it appears to us as good or as bad, is essential for us to experience in this lifetime. While we may not be able to see the 'good' when bad things are happening to us it is possible, through the lens of time, to look back and understand why each event which happened happened.

This is not meant to minimize bad things which happen to us. We must see that bad is happening and make changes in order to rectify the problem. We must always keep the idea that Hashem is going to protect us and keep us even when we are at a low point in our lives.

Joseph was able to see the big picture and not hold a grudge against his brothers...

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/10989#.TupkrR-6SL8

Judaism: I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
Published: Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:53 AM
The amount of suffering that a person experiences on this planet is weighed, measured and administered in exact dosages.


"And they sat to eat bread, and they lifted their eyes and saw a caravan of Yishmaelim coming from Gilad, and their camels were carrying spices, balsam, and birthwort to bring down to Egypt.” — Bereishis 37:25

The most difficult period in Yosef’s life

Yosef was about to begin the most difficult period of his life. His own brothers left him to die in a pit of scorpions. He would soon be sold numerous times as a slave, then he would spend twelve months being hounded by the wife of his master, followed by imprisonment in a dank, dark dungeon where he would not see the light of day for twelve years. Clearly, Yosef was heading for hard times.

Why didn’t HASHEM just save Yosef?

Rashi tells us that this posuk shows us the great reward that is given to tzaddikim. When Yosef was bound and sold as a slave, the wagon that took him down to Egypt was carrying spices that emitted a fragrant smell, as opposed to the normal cargo that gives off an obnoxious odor. Clearly, HASHEM loved the tzaddik and arranged for something out of the ordinary to protect him.

The obvious question on this Rashi is that if the Torah wants us to show the reward for tzaddikim, it could have done a much more convincing job by saving Yosef from this entire event. If HASHEM is watching the tzaddikim, then why couldn’t He just save Yosef from all of the suffering that he was about to endure?

A comfortable pillow in the ambulance

This is comparable to a situation in which a man is in a catastrophic car crash that breaks almost every bone in his body. The Hatzalah crew rushes to the scene, puts him on a stretcher, and as they are speeding to the hospital, his friend riding with him says, “Look how HASHEM watches over you. They even put a comfortable pillow under your head.” One would have the right to ask, “If HASHEM is concerned with this person’s well being, then why didn’t He arrange for the drunk driver who hit him to crash into a pole instead of his car? Save him from the ordeal; don’t give his broken neck a comfortable pillow to lie on!”

Some life situations are inevitable

The answer to this question seems to be that there are certain situations in life that are unavoidable, not because HASHEM isn’t capable of preventing them, but quite the opposite, because HASHEM orchestrated them according to the needs of that person or that generation.

Yosef was to be sold as a slave and in that state, brought to Mitzrayim. As the prelude to his future, the future of his family, and the future of the Jewish nation, this was a vital ingredient. Ultimately, for his destiny and for the good of the Jewish nation, this situation needed to happen. It was part of the master plan.

However, even within the difficult times, HASHEM showed loving kindness to Yosef. He had to be sold as a slave, but why should he suffer unnecessarily? The Arabs normally carried petroleum; why should Yosef have to suffer the offensive odor? For that reason, HASHEM arranged something very uncharacteristic: the caravan was carrying perfume and not oil.

All suffering is carefully weighed and measured

There is a great lesson for us to take from this. In life, we will suffer through many situations, trials and tribulations. Not only are they are part of life, they are needed – for us, for our growth so that we can reach the purpose for which we were put on this planet. In that sense, they are inevitable, not because HASHEM is uncaring, but because we need them. They are for our good. In the scheme of life, they serve us well, but with them comes some suffering. The amount of suffering that a person experiences on this planet is weighed, measured and administered in exact dosages. The pain is delivered precisely and exactly, not an iota more and not an iota less. We get exactly the measure we need.

Many times it is clear to see that HASHEM is bringing pain, preplanned and preordained, right to my doorstep. But it is hard to see that it is for my good and that HASHEM is doing it out of loving kindness.

Seeing the Kindness in the torture

When I discover the kindness within the torture, when I find the “comfortable pillow in the ambulance,” this can change my perspective on the entire situation. It reminds me that HASHEM cares for me and has brought about this event for my good. I may not see it as good, I may not understand how it is for my best, but it is clearly orchestrated by HASHEM. I see that HASHEM has gone out of His way – if it could be – to make part of my situation more comfortable.

This shows me the great love that HASHEM has for me. It allows me to know that just as the pillow was planned out of love, so too were the rest of the circumstances. This viewpoint colors the entire situation in a different light, allowing me to understand that it was brought by HASHEM, and despite the pain and suffering, it is something that I need for my good.

muman613:
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/788637/jewish/Staying-On-the-Swing.htm
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It is one of the ironies of life that in order to swing to the greatest height it is necessary to plunge to the lowest point. It seems to be almost a law of nature that there is often a "descent" in order to "rise"; a negative situation before the positive. In the Torah this principle is illustrated by the chain of events which begin in this week's Torah reading: the descent of Joseph into Egypt and his subsequent rise to greatness.

In a tragic example of a breakdown of brotherly relationships, Joseph was sold as a slave into Egypt. For thirteen years he suffered slavery, imprisonment and derision, but eventually ended up as the Viceroy of all Egypt. From this position he was able to save his family and thousands of others from starvation during the terrible years of famine.1

This pattern is the key to the twin concepts of Exile and Redemption. The Divine promise of Redemption depicts an exalted state of being and consciousness for all humanity. However, somehow, in order to achieve this, there must also be the "down" swing: the bitterness and darkness of Exile.

Our problem is that sometimes a particularly unfortunate accident happens. For example, as the swing comes to its lowest point the person's foot might catch on something and he or she is thrown out of their seat. In other words, the Exile can suddenly become so difficult that many people lose hope. After the Holocaust there was widespread despair about the future of Judaism, especially as regards traditional observance and knowledge. Miraculously, despite these fears there has been a wonderful rejuvenation of Jewish scholarship and traditional life. Jewish knowledge and Jewish observance, in Israel and elsewhere, has moved into a happy, joyful upward swing.

In the life of an individual or of a community there can be comparable jarring events which threaten to shake the person from his or her seat. Gradually, one comes to terms with the new situation, and makes a step forward. The challenge is to keep sitting firmly on the swing, holding on tight2 as it goes through what seems like the lowest point, with faith in G‑d that soon it will reach the exalted heights.

The Chanukah festival, which is always read in proximity of this week's Torah reading, also expresses this pattern. The Jewish people had reached the depths in terms of assimilation to Greek culture and idolatry. This process began as something voluntary among wealthy Jews and then became enforced by government decree on everyone. The sacred Temple was defiled and Jewish study and observance were banned.
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muman613:
Interesting video Dvar Torahs on this weeks Parasha:

Kahane-Was-Right BT:
But if that's the case, why did the brothers have to do teshuvah?

What they did was wrong and it is ok to say it.  The Torah says it.

muman613:

--- Quote from: Kahane-Was-Right BT on December 16, 2011, 01:47:29 AM ---But if that's the case, why did the brothers have to do teshuvah?

What they did was wrong and it is ok to say it.  The Torah says it.

--- End quote ---

Well there is discussion on whether they were wrong. You know about the concept that they held a beit din and decided that the penalty for trying to usurp the birthright was death. I think I can find a reference to this. Apparently Joseph also brought an evil report against his brothers to their father and this too is regarded as a reason for the brothers to hold judgement over him.

The brothers had to do teshuva, but Joseph did not hold a grudge because he saw the providence in the events which lead to him saving his family from the famine.

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