Rashi tells us that from here we
see the great reward that is given to Tzadikim. When Yosef was bound and
sold as a slave, the wagon that took him down to Egypt was carrying spices
that emitted a fragrant smell, as opposed to the normal cargo that gives off
an obnoxious odor. Clearly, HASHEM loved the Tzaddik and arranged something
out of the ordinary to protect him.
The obvious question on this Rashi
is that if the Torah wants us to show the reward for Tzadikim, it could have
done a much more convincing job by saving Yosef from this entire event. If
HASHEM is watching the Tzadikim, then why not just save Yosef from all of
the suffering that he is about to endure?
A
comfortable pillow in the ambulance
This is comparable to a situation in which
a man is in a catastrophic car crash that breaks almost every bone in his
body. The Hatzalah crew rushes to the scene, puts him on a stretcher, and as
they are speeding to the hospital his friend riding with him says, “Look how
HASHEM watches over you. They even put a comfortable pillow under your
head.” One would have the right to ask: if HASHEM is concerned with this
person’s well being, then why not arrange that the drunk driver who hit him
crashes into a pole instead of his car? Save him from the ordeal; don’t give
his broken neck a comfortable pillow to lie on.
Some
Life situations are inevitable
The answer seems to be that there are
situations in life that are unavoidable, not because HASHEM isn’t
capable of preventing them, but quite the opposite, HASHEM orchestrates them
because the person or the generation needs them
Yosef was to be sold as a slave and in
that state, brought to Mitzraim. As the prelude to his future, the future of
his family, and the future of the Jewish nation, this was a vital
ingredient. Ultimately, for his destiny and for the good of the Jewish
nation, this situation needed to happen. It was part of the master plan.
However, even within the difficult times,
HASHEM showed loving kindness to Yosef. He had to be sold as a slave, but
why should he have to suffer
unnecessarily? The Arabs normally carried petroleum; why should Yosef have
to suffer the offensive odor? For that reason, HASHEM arranged something
very uncharacteristic: the caravan was carrying perfume and not oil.
All
suffering is carefully weighed and measured
There is a
great lesson for us to take from this. In life, we will suffer through many
situations, trials and tribulations. Not only are they are part of life,
they are needed -- for us, for our growth – so that we can reach the purpose
for which we were put on this planet. In that sense, they are inevitable --
not because HASHEM is uncaring but because we need them. They are for our
good. In the scheme of life, they serve us well, but with them comes some
suffering. The amount of suffering that a person experiences on this planet
is weighed, measured and administered in exact dosages. The pain is
delivered precisely and exactly – not an iota more and not an iota less --
exactly the
measure needed.
Many times it
is clear to see that HASHEM is bringing this pain – preplanned,
preordained-- right to my doorstep. But it is hard to see that it is for my
good and that HASHEM is doing it out of loving kindness.
Seeing the Kindness in the torture
When I
discover the kindness within the torture- when I find the “comfortable
pillow in the ambulance,” this can change my perspective on the
entire situation. It reminds me that HASHEM cares for me and has brought
about this event for my good. I may not see it as good; I may not understand
how it is for my best, but it is clearly orchestrated by HASHEM. I see that
HASHEM has gone out of His way – if it could be – to make part of my
situation more comfortable. This shows me the great love that HASHEM has for
me and allows me to know that just as the pillow was planned out of
love, so too were the rest of the circumstances. This viewpoint
colors the entire situation in a different light -
understanding that it
was brought by HASHEM, and despite the pain and suffering, is something that
I need, and is for my good.
For more on this topic please listen to Shmuz
#24 –Understanding Life Settings.
