Torah Parshat - December 18, 2008
Parashat Vayeshev 12-19-08
Sometimes things happen just when you need them. Have you ever thought about something or hoped for something or been in a position where you needed directions and POW – right in front of you, and the answer unexpectedly appears? We each have had those experiences. (Not the one about thinking about the million dollars….. and nothing happens!) Sometimes the “universe” (undefined) acts in this way – directing us towards a particular destination.
I believe in that – and at times IF WE ARE OPEN TO LISTENING TO THE WORLD AROUND US we can hear the whisper of God in the background or feel the hand of God directing our path.
This happened to Joseph. We remember the story, Jacob’s favorite because he’s Rachel’s son, his favorite wife. The kutonet passim, striped and colorful coat given to the favored son as a gift. The jealousy of the brothers and the boastful, even swagger attitude Joseph viewed his brothers. A real spoiled brat. (He turns out much better.)
One day Jacob asks him to go look for his brothers to see how they are doing sheparding the sheep. Joseph couldn’t find them. Wandering around endlessly seems to be a dead end, so the Torah interjects the following (Genesis 37:12-17):
“One time, when his brothers had gone to pasture their father's flock at
When he reached Shechem, a man came upon him wandering in the fields. The man asked him, "What arc you looking for?" He answered, "I am looking for my brothers. Could you tell me where they are pasturing?" The man said, "They have gone from here, for I heard them say: Let us go to
Joseph got just what he needed at the time. This “man” simply appeared to give him directions. “He” had happened to see where they went.
Fortuitous? By chance? An accident? No, perhaps that IS the way God works (at times) in the world – if we would only listen.
Shabbat Shalom!
MARK