Kevin Bemel ·
It’s the Worst Day of Your Life - But All is Not Lost
“ . . . and their camels were carrying spices, and balsam and birthwort . . .” (Bereshis/Genesis 37:25). Joseph’s brothers decide to sell him to a caravan of Ishmaelites. One of the major turning points in Biblical history is about to take place, Joseph is about to be sold into slavery, and the Torah takes time out to discuss baggage! What is going on here?
The parsha for this Sabbath is Vayeishev. In it we learn about Joseph’s prophetic dreams; the plot of the brothers against Joseph: selling him to a caravan that takes him to Egypt and sells him into slavery and their letting Jacob think he is dead; the story of Judah and Tamar; Joseph rising to run Potiphar’s household and eventually being jailed though the slander of Potihpar’s wife; and Joseph being the conduit for the interpretation of the Chief of Butler’s and Chief of Baker’s dreams.
The stage is being set for the Israelite’s sojourn in Egypt. Shall we look at one of the trees in this forest of well know stories?
After Reuben convinced the brothers not to kill Joseph they sat down for a meal and saw a caravan. The Torah then describes in detail what the camels were carrying. Does it really matter?
Rashi, the paramount Torah commentator, explains that this was a consolation for Joseph.
Normally such a caravan would carry resin and other products used for fuel that smell bad. Although Rashi does not mention it, the camels themselves are not the best smelling of G-d’s creatures. Imagine traveling about 400 km immersed in such a stench.
That the caravan was carrying a pleasantly fragrant cargo was a reward for the righteous Joseph, a subtle hint from G-d to him that not all was lost. It let Joseph know that G-d was still guiding his life and supplying him with a small pleasure in the midst of his misery.
You can learn two lessons from Joseph’s caravan journey. The first is that the Torah never wastes words. In what seems like a trivial or even useless detail there is a lesson for you. Second, even on the worst day you face, don't fall prey to self-pity and despair, focusing only on what has gone wrong. Keep your wits about you and you will find a positive aspect of your situation. Even in your darkest hour,
G-d will remind you of His support if only you will open your senses to it.
This message from G-d should be savored and used as a catalyst to reframe your situation and make plans for moving forward with your life.
Please take a minute to say how G-d has hinted his support of you.
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. It is named after the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
What verse in the Old Testament would you like to know more about? Ask a question and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
