The North American Jewish world
was further divided these past few weeks when the United States who normally
vetoes UN resolutions against Israel abstained instead. It is interesting to
note that this was the first time in the eight year Obama administration that
the US abstained rather than vetoed a resolution. This first and last abstention under the
Obama administration equals the same number of abstentions that occurred during
the eight years of the George Bush Jr. administration. By the way, Ronald
Reagan’s eight years saw the US abstain eight times in UN Israel resolutions. However those are historical and statistical
facts. It doesn't relieve my disappointment with the
recent U. S. abstention. My disappointment
is not because this administration spoke truth to power and disagrees with
Netanyahu and the settlers. My disappointment is not because there is an
enormous financial and spiritual cost that results in sacrificing Israel's national morality. I believe in a Jewish
state. I believe that Israel must remain Jewish and democratic, based upon the
democratic ideals under which it was established. My frustration, my aggravation, and my deep
disappointment in the recent U.S. abstention stems from the fact that the administration chose to speak truth
to power in the corrupt and hypocritical halls of the United Nations. I would have preferred that these two
nations, these allies, approached each other as friends dedicated to the ideals
upon which Israel was founded.
This week’s Torah portion is
VaYigash. The confrontation between
Yosef and his brothers is about to occur. The Parshah begins with Yehudah
approaching his brother Yosef, whom he does not recognize, and pleads for
Benjamin’s freedom. Yosef reveals his
identity and the brothers hug and kiss each other. They cry and they forgive
each other. Yosef asks about his father’s welfare. The brother’s return to
their father, Yaakov, and tell him that Yosef is alive. The brothers add that
everyone, the entire clan, should go down to Egypt. So this clan, including:
Jacob, the brothers, their wives and children, heads down to Egypt. Yaakov
meets Pharaoh. Yosef’s family is given a parcel of land outside of Egypt in a
place called Goshen, where they can tend to their flocks. Yaakov is re-united
with his beloved Yosef in the land of Goshen.
For the ChaZaL, the Sages of
Blessed Memory, the Sages of the Talmud, the confrontation between Yosef, the
second most powerful man in Egypt, and Yehudah, the leader of the Yaakov’s
sons; the confrontation is much more than just two brothers meeting up after a
couple of decades. For ChaZaL, the word VaYiGaSh refers to Yehudah girding
himself for war. Remember, Yehudah does not yet know the identity of the man
standing before him. For all Yehudah knows, this man, who looks Egyptian,
dresses Egyptian, and speaks Egyptian embodies the most powerful empire and the
most dominant culture in the world. However, according to the Or HaChayim that
is not the plain meaning of the word. The Or HaChayim explains that if Yehudah
was “girding himself for war” then he would not have spoken so respectfully and
politely to Yosef: Bi Adoni “if it pleases my lord”. Nor would Yehudah be
concerned with antagonizing Yosef’s anger. Instead, Yehudah’s approaches Egypt’s second in command not girded for war but confidently approaches
bypassing guards and advisors and manages to speak quietly and privately into
the minister’s ear. Make no mistake, when Yehudah tells the minister that he is
just like Pharaoh, when he speaks truth to power, Yehudah does it in a whisper,
privately, without causing embarrassment to second most powerful man in the
Egyptian empire.
Yehudah’s approach to Joseph was
based upon several factors. First, he felt a deep sense of responsibility for
his brother Benjamin. Second, he felt a deep sense of responsibility and
commitment to his father. Third, he felt a deep sense of respect of the power
and authority of the man standing before him and what that man
represented. As a result, Yehudah had to
project the perfect blend of strength and humility. He had to speak politely
yet forcefully. Most of all he had to make sure that that he wouldn’t embarrass
the second most powerful man in the Egyptian empire. I only wish that more of
an effort had been made by this administration to speak truth to power in a
manner that was more dignified and respectful than an abstention in a UN
resolution.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
No comments:
Post a Comment