Do We Learn From the Past?

The web weaved by generations of our fore fathers come to fruition for Jacob in this fascinating Parsha. In Vayigash, we see the dangers of favoritism within the family starting with Abraham and Sarah toward Isaac, Rebeccah toward her favorite Jacob and Isaac for Esau, while Jacob, then favors his son with Rachel, Joseph, over all those with Leah and his concubines. Where does this take them and us? It brings on the suffering that is perhaps unavoidable in real life. The Torah may be interpreted in many ways but is certainly not a "fairy-tale ending" sort of document. We would hope to learn through its constant study and perhaps escape the inescapable. But, human nature being what it is, we most likely find that life's complications and sorrows did not begin nor will they end with us. Jacob comes to Egypt and is reunited with his beloved Joseph. Having finally been told the truth of what ensued, all he can feel is relief that he did not cause Joseph's demise when he sent him to meet his brothers in the field. He meets and speaks, seemingly on equal footing, with Pharaoh. He is now resigned to living out his life with some peace while Joseph takes de facto leadership of the family. To his credit, Joseph forgives his brothers and they are promised they will live off the fat of the land. Despite this magnanimity, his first actions toward them in last week's Parsha began with the trickery that seems to be part of the family gene. Nevertheless, "all's well that ends well" and the family settled in Goshen, saved from the famine and with a bright future ahead. We all know what happens in two weeks- Sh'mot! Vayigash, this weeks parsha, and next week's Vayechi paint a somewhat idyllic picture of life in Egypt for the Jews. They have risen to great heights in the government, become quite affluent and seem to be living in peace and comfort within an Egyptian society not generally tolerant of outsiders. It reminds one of our existence in the United States. A short few years, one generation removed from the Holocaust and following many years of difficult anti-semitism throughout the early part of the 20th century even within this most wonderful and tolerant of countries, we take our safety for granted in the knowledge that there is an "Eretz Yisrael," whose strongest ally is the United States, and that we are a vital part of our government and society.  Let us not forget the lessons of the Torah. Diligence, a sense of history, a constant re-examination of the political and societal fabric and ever stronger support for Israel, in every way, may be the way to create a brighter future and avoid the mistakes of our ancient past. Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year, Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi