Good Morning

The story of Yosef’s freedom is very unlikely. remember that he was a small persecuted slave who had been sold by his family and then framed with a very low crime of passion. He was imprisoned with the Royal Butler and Baker who’s white collar jobs and crimes made them far above Yosef’s station. yet they trusted Yosef, they took his advice, they allowed him to comfort them. Eventually, still very prejudiced, the butler saved Yosef’s life and took him on his first step toward power.

The ingredient that made this work was Yosef’s ability to say Good morning. It was his taking the time to say, “why do you look upset today”. It wasn’t really a question. They were on death row! But Yosef asked. And because he asked, he was able to help. He didn’t know if he could help: “L’Elokim Pisronim” – but he said “tell me anyway”.

Yoseef listened and Yosef helped.

This is an important lesson for us. It’s amazing what can be accomplished with a Good morning, a good shabbos, a why are you limping, or a ‘I can’t help; but tell me anyway. It’s how Klal Yisroel moves forward.

An interesting point: both the butler and the Baker dreamed the other’s dream. The Butler knew that the baker would die, but he was being sensitive.  But what about the Baker? Why couldn’t he tell the butler the good news? He knew what his dream meant?

The Chasssidim say that this was why he didn’t get good results. He was a mean spirited person. He couldn’t bear to smile at the butler, ask how he was, tell him good news.

In life, we can be the Baker or we can be Yosef Hatzaddik. Let’s be the Yosef who brings the Geula. Just by listening, caring, saying hello, and sharing good news.

Jealousy

Reuvein was the least likely candidate to save Yosef. Reuvein was the rightful heir to the throne. He was the oldest and he had championed the cause of Leah too often to stand idly by while one of Rachel’s children took the reins in the next generation.

Of all of the brothers, why did Reuvein choose to save Yosef’s life?

Rav Aharon Kotler explains by quoting a Medrash that is astonishing in its simplicity. Reuvein, the Medrash says, knew that he had sinned in moving his father’s bed. Later Yaacov would tell him that he had acted rashly. Knowing that historically not all siblings made it into the forefather club, Reuvein feared that he had lost his edge. He feared that he would go the way of Yishmael, Eisav and the Bnei Keturah. He spent his days repenting.

Reuvein’s glimmer of sunshine came when Yosef had his first dream. Yosef  saw eleven stars bowing down to him. Everyone else was upset about the elevation of Yosef, but Reuvein was busy counting stars. He was still in!

Reb Aharon Kotler explains that this attitude saved Reuvein from becoming jealous of Yosef. He was too happy to be jealous. He didn’t take his own position for granted and he certainly had no aspirations for Yosef’s position.

This was Reuvein’s secret and it needs to be our approach as well. If we don’t have shoes we need to be happy that we have feet. The Shtefenishte Rebbe used to say that if we had a chance to walk into a room and choose a burden in life we would all choose our own. We should spend time being grateful for the life we have, rather than being jealous of the life the other person is leading.