People say that we live in one of the most divided times in history. Yes, it’s true—these are divided times.
But are they truly any more divisive than our past?
If you look closely at the first book of the Torah, you’ll see that dysfunction and disorder have always been with us. From Sarah’s jealousy over Hagar, Abraham’s concubine, to the bitter rivalry between Esau and Jacob over blessings and birthrights, from Joseph’s brash arrogance to his brothers’ violent fits of rage over Jacob’s favoritism—Genesis is a chronicle of human discord. It’s a narrative of strife, jealousy, and power struggles that feels eerily familiar, making today’s political rifts seem almost tame in comparison.
Fortunately, in this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayigash, there is a needed message about such division. In the portion, we learn how Joseph’s brothers have gone down to Egypt for food during a severe famine. The same brothers who had sold Joseph into slavery, do not recognize that the Egyptian viceroy is, in fact, him. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph has risen to power in Egypt, now overseeing the distribution of grain. When they come to Egypt, Joseph recognizes his brothers immediately, though they remain unaware of his identity. After testing their character, Joseph finally reveals himself, and the brothers are overwhelmed with shock and guilt.
It is at this moment when Joseph’s brother Judah steps forward. The text states, Va’yigash Yehudah Alav, Judah came forward. The midrashim are obsessed with Judah’s movement – seeing it not just as a physical step forward but also as a profound gesture of conciliation. Judah is willing to lean into that which is most uncomfortable – to engage in the process of healing rifts.
In our day and age, it is not divisiveness that should disturb us. We have always been divided and always will be, to some degree.
What should disturb us is our willingness to remain divided, to hold onto our grievances, to refuse to take the first step toward healing. In the story of Joseph and his brothers, the true turning point isn’t just when Joseph reveals himself; it’s when Judah chooses to step forward, to move toward his brother despite the years of hatred, betrayal, and hurt. This is the moment that marks the potential for reconciliation—not just between two brothers, but between a fractured family and a torn nation.
Judah’s willingness to approach Joseph with humility and responsibility is a powerful reminder that healing comes not from avoiding discomfort, but from confronting it. It’s not about pretending that wrongs haven’t been done, or that deep wounds don’t exist, but about choosing to move toward each other with the intention of repairing what has been broken.
If only we could learn such a lesson.
Shabbat Shalom.