In this week’s Parasha, we come to the powerful denouement of the epic story of Joseph and his brothers, one of bitterness and betrayal in its opening that slowly moves to an extraordinary moment of reconciliation. As we come toward the end of the book of Genesis, we finally arrive at the moment that is the answer to the rhetorical question asked in the beginning of the Torah by Cain after he has murdered Abel, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The highly emotional reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers is one of the great scenes in literature. Years earlier, the brothers, jealous of Joseph’s position as their father’s favourite, had enacted Judah’s words “Let us sell him…not do away with him ourselves” [Gen.37:27]. This act not only caused years of unending grief for them all, but was futile since their father then took Joseph’s baby brother Benjamin as his new favourite.
By confronting Joseph, the second most powerful man in Egypt, and refusing to leave Benjamin as a hostage, Judah confronts himself, accepts his past guilt and takes on his true role as family moderator and protector. At the same time, Joseph, who could have understandably sought revenge against his brothers, realises that he too prefers to forgive them and help them.
In one of the great scenes in all literature, the brothers reconcile. Opposite of a Shakespearean tragedy where the characters’ refusal to go beyond their allotted stereotype results in death and loss, these acts of mutual contrition result in reconciliation and healing for the family of Israel. In fact, rather than dwelling on the crime, Joseph says that his brothers “sent” him – thereby starting the chain of events that placed him in a position where he could benefit thousands of people, including his own family.
Through these brave admissions, both men show themselves to be the masters of their own fate and demonstrate their understanding that hatred damages both the hated and the hater. It also highlights the fact that, although no person can truly control events, it is in the hands of each person to determine whether or not our circumstances become a motivation for good or evil.
Parshat Va-Yigash reminds us that we all do things that are selfish and wrong that we would rather gloss over and forget. The crucial test is to have the humility to admit wrongdoing, the courage to seek healing and the faith to know people can transform and situations can change. Failing this, you perpetuate and compound the problem. So let us be like Judah and Joseph, turning adversity into opportunity and healing the harm we have caused others along the way. We are our brother’s keeper, not just “within the family” within the larger family we call humanity.
With prayers that 2026 will be a year of reconciliation and peace for our families, our people, our nation and our world. And remember, pray as if everything depends upon God but act as if everything depends upon you.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins OAM