The years following World War II were labeled the Cold War as nations exchanged threats and jockeyed for power. The Berlin Wall, built in August 1961, stood for almost 3 decades as one of the most powerful symbols of the smoldering animosity. Then, on November 9, 1989, it was announced that citizens could cross freely from East to West Berlin. The entire wall was demolished the following year.
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, Joseph had his brothers exactly where he wanted them. Joseph was in the position to wreck his vengeance upon them. Yet Joseph refused to build a wall of hatred between himself and his brothers who sold him into slavery. After Judah spoke up on behalf of his brother Benjamin and Joseph saw that they were changed men, he couldn’t control himself any longer and revealed his true identity to them. Needless to say, they were in shock with this news and were afraid of what Joseph might do next. He comforts them and alleviates their fears saying, “Now, do not be distressed or reproach yourselves because you sold me hither; it was to save life that God sent me ahead of you… to ensure your survival on earth, and to save your lives in an extraordinary deliverance. So it was not you who sent me here, but God…”(Gen. 45:5-7) Joseph not only helped restore the relationship between them, he broke the cycle internecine struggles that plagued his family for three generations. Never again do we here in the Torah children plotting evil against their siblings.
34 years ago, an oppressive man-made barrier was opened, offering freedom and reuniting families and friends.
If we’ve built walls of
anger and separation between ourselves and others, the Lord is willing and
able to help us begin tearing them down today.
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