The second portion of the story of Joseph begins with the dramatic release of the young Hebrew slave from an Egyptian prison. He interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is immediately promoted to viceroy, second-in-command of Egypt.
Joseph's redemption is incomplete, however. Though his reputation is restored, and he has achieved the impossible in terms of his personal wealth and power, he has yet to mend ties with his family. The pain continues, decades later.
He is reunited with his brothers -- though they do not recognize him -- when they come to Egypt, seeking food. Their father, Jacob, refuses to allow Benjamin, the only surviving son of Rachel (he thinks), to accompany them.
Jacob sends them away, holding Simon as a hostage until they return with Benjamin. Eventually, they do, but Jacob has his servants plant a goblet in Benjamin's sack, so he can frame him for theft and imprison him in Egypt.
This sets up the ultimate test of the brothers' repentance: would they once again abandon a favored son to Egypt? Would they once again look after themselves alone, or would they spare each other, and their father's heart?
The portion ends on that cliffhanger. It is deeply moving to read the text's descriptions of the emotional turmoil Joseph endures, even as he is putting his brothers to the text in an exceptionally difficult way, physically and emotionally.
One lesson (among many) in this portion comes from Joseph's meeting with Pharaoh. Joseph didn't just give Pharaoh his analysis: he also offered him a solution. He didn't just apply for a job; he also made a case for a policy plan.
At the same time, Joseph did not claim credit for the insight behind these ideas. He credited God. This showed Pharaoh that Joseph not only had great ideas, but was humble enough to be trusted. Useful career tips, even today!
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
- The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
- The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
- The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
- The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
- The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival
And more!
Special guests:
- James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
- Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
- Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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