Brothers In Law

There is an extremely disconcerting trend of parents potentially losing their children, or sending them away for brief periods of time, that agonizingly turn out to be lifetimes. Last week we highlighted the Yamim Achadim the “few days” that Rebecca sent Jacob away to evade the murderous plans of his brother Esau. Those “few days” turned out to be more than twenty years. In this week’s portion of Vayeshev, Jacob requests that Joseph make a short journey to see how his brothers were. Joseph without hesitation responds, Hineni – Here I am, I am ready! The term should rightly strike up profound, often life changing moments. Joseph, by honoring his father’s wish, provides us another moment of role modeling and as such the episode should have a happy and predictable ending. But as we know this was far from the case. 

Notice how Jacob makes this appear to be a simple errand that should not take very long, 37:14;

 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ לֶךְ־נָ֨א רְאֵ֜ה אֶת־שְׁל֤וֹם אַחֶ֙יךָ֙ וְאֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם הַצֹּ֔אן וַהֲשִׁבֵ֖נִי דָּבָ֑ר וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֙הוּ֙ מֵעֵ֣מֶק חֶבְר֔וֹן וַיָּבֹ֖א שְׁכֶֽמָה׃

And he said to him, “Go and see how your brothers are and how the flocks are faring, and bring me back word.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron. And he reached Shechem.

As we know Joseph takes a very long time to bring his father back word…

The detail given to this simple what may be considered everyday occurrence is puzzling and its intricate details take on an additional enigmatic mode. Joseph was wandering in the fields, he seemingly lacked the familiarity of his grandfather Isaac, who conversed in or with the field. He caught the attention of a passer by, who noticed that he had lost his way, and asked how he could help, more specifically מַה־תְּבַקֵּֽשׁ, what do you seek? A question of greater significance than may appear, a destiny rather than an address. The answer is equally profound, indicating a concurrent conversation between Joseph and the “Ish” who of course could be like the “Ish” the angel, that his father encountered leading to a name change if not a life change. The response of Joseph is pivotal, timely and timeless וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־אַחַ֖י אָנֹכִ֣י מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ, I seek my bothers. 

With Midrashic and Hasidic audacity perhaps we can reread this remarkable statement. Joseph responds by saying “My brothers” . I am looking for them. Anochi Mevakesh brings God into this remarkable dialogue. Anochi evoking the Anochi of the Ten Commandments and many other occasions where the term denotes God. This is a moment where God intercedes in judgement as tragically the “brothers” as has been the case too often did not live up to their name. They acted as adversaries, and God seeks that moment to be put right, then and forever. The long journey home begins with a heartfelt plea from God an attempt to warn off the tragic events that were to occur, but to no avail, not only did they lose the ability to see each other as brothers they, as a result also failed to see God. 

The call remains resounding. Act as brothers. Do not turn your back as “your brothers” continue to serve, invest in those families who have lost so much as opposed to the superfluous and futile ministers and ministries, do not destroy our home and our hope through the criminal and dangerous laws and policies that endanger our very essence. Act as brothers and #BringThemHomeNow- Anochi Mevakesh