Sign In Forgot Password

One Step Forward

01/02/2025 10:26:36 AM

Jan2

Rabbi Micah Peltz

I hope your new year is off to a great start!  2025 began this year sandwiched between two Torah portions whose names speak to the opportunities and challenges that a new year presents.  Last Shabbat we read the Torah portion of Miketz, which means “At the end,” and this Shabbat we will read parashat Vayigash, which means “And he approached.”  These portions mark pivotal moments in the Joseph story.  Last week, Joseph was at the end of two years in prison when the cup-bearer recommended to Pharaoh that he release Joseph from jail so he could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.  This week, it is Judah who approaches his brother Joseph (though Judah doesn’t know this yet) to plead for mercy for their brother Benjamin.  Judah’s approach pushes Joseph over the edge, as he breaks down crying and reveals himself to his brothers after years of estrangement.  A midrash wants to know what about Judah’s approach made it effective.  One rabbi says that Judah approached ready for conflict, another says he approached ready to make peace, and a third says he approached with a prayer.  The midrash concludes by saying that Judah approached Joseph with all of these ways in mind.  In other words, Judah was determined to resolve the conflict no matter what it took.  As we look out at the end of one year and the beginning of another, we know the many challenges that confront us.  Personal challenges, political challenges, challenges with relationships, challenges in the form of antisemitism and hatred, and challenges for Israel.  Like Judah, we know we must confront these challenges, even when we are unsure of exactly how to approach them.  Still, we Vayigash, we step forward and engage to make the coming year a good one for us, for our people, and for our world.  

Wed, January 22 2025 22 Tevet 5785