Joseph rescues his family and the Israelite nation in this week's Torah portion. Last weeks, Joseph correctly deciphers Pharaoh's dream about seven years of feast and seven years of famine, which allows Egypt to ration their food effectively. Unfortunately, Jacob and his sons are unaware of the incoming famine, and they suffer in the land of Canaan. Hearing about Egypt's success, they travel to plead for food. Jacob is incredibly frail, so he sends his sons to Pharaoh's servants. They harass the boys due to the lack of their father's presence. The sons struggle at first, but Joseph eventually erupts. He reveals himself to his brothers, glad to see them rather than angered by their mistake. Pharaoh and Joseph decide to allow the Israelites to dwell in Goshen, Egypt's most luxurious region. The nation of Israel moves to Goshen, and they are welcomed with open arms.
Upon their exiting of Canaan, Jacob sacrifices to God. At the altar, God reassures Jacob that traveling to Egypt is not a mistake. God says that there, Israel will grow into a vast and great nation. Furthermore, God promises to remain present with Israel throughout their departure and return from and to Canaan. On this covenant, Jacob abandons the land of Canaan with ease. Is God aware that a future Pharaoh forces Jacob's descendants into slavery? If so, does God then intend to make Israel a great nation by putting them through their ordeals in Egypt and the desert? Perhaps, God is all knowing. For God, there is no present, past, or future. Humans may choose their destiny, God can see where that destiny derives from and how we arrived to such a point. For instance, God feels that now is anytime in the history of the universe, for God is always present. Jacob chooses to go to Egypt, but this is out of necessity. He appeals to God before embarking on this journey. Therefore, God approves of the Jews fleeing to Egypt, their bondage, and their Exodus.
To what extent should we thank God for hardship? If God is all powerful and foreseer of all destinies, then God intends for humans to occasionally suffer. In Judaism, one must believe that God is good. Taking this logic, God only approves of righteous acts. While many Jews perish under Ramesses II, following Joseph into Goshen temporarily saves the Jews from starvation. Though it is cliché, how much of what does not kill us actually make us stronger? Biologically, something as threatening as a near-death case of malaria can much improve the immune system. However, do emotionally obstacles provide the same psychological impact? There are stories of Holocaust survivors who say their tragedy taught them how to enjoy life. For God, suffering fails to be important. As long as redemption comes, all pain remains dilatory. Remember that pain is always temporary. We should never let it irritate ourselves, for emotions are not constant. Motion is part of the term. Even a dying soul once loved. On a more spiritual level, the suffering of the Jews of Egypt is not malice on God's part. Every person works off one another, and we are all connected by the exchange of fortune. Jacob leaves Israel, allowing other groups to dominate the lands. The Jews become enslaved, but stronger than ever in the desert. Once they reach Jericho, they reclaim the Promised Land. The Romans force the Jews into exile, later creating the Palestinian conflict in Israel today. One day fate will shift in peace's favor. No life is ever so minuscule to not matter. We are all feeding off each other, collaborating to a better age. Only God knows what happens next.
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