TO THEIR HEARTS

   As we conclude Sefer Braishis, wherein we studied, intensely, the personalities of our Patriarchs and our beloved Matriarchs we learned how they lived and the inspiring moral lessons of behaviorism they left within our reach, nurturing the Jewish People. 

  This idea is realized as we study the relationship between Yoseph and his brothers as they returned to Egypt after they buried their Father Yaakov in M’arrat Hamachpelah.

   The Medrash relates that on their return, they past the pit into which the brothers had cast Yoseph. In fact, Chazal informs us that Yoseph stood and gazed at the pit and intoned a Bracha thanking G-D for saving him from the jaws of death. 

   One cannot imagine what went through the minds of the brothers as they witnessed Yoseph revisiting the pit. They feared that he would take revenge for their actions, especially, now that Yaakov is no longer there to protect them. 

  At this point Yoseph set the record straight. אל תראו אתם חשבתם עלי רעה ואלוקים חשבה לטובה, 

"You intended evil against me, but Hashem intended it for good". 

  It seems they weren't convinced that Yoseph would not harm them. It was only when the Torah states that Yoseph spoke, על לבם, "To their Hearts", that they were assured of their safety.  Rashi explains this statement וידבר על לבם to mean, that Yoseph told them that the Egyptians always considered him as a slave without any good family credentials. It was only when the brothers came to Egypt with Yaakov did they finally realize that he was the scion of an outstanding ‘Mishpacha.’ 

  Yoseph was trying to win the brothers trust and he did so by convincing them that he was not only their benefactor but also their beneficiary. Yoseph showed them that he benefited from their relationship and that they had no reason to fear that he would act in a vengeful way. Yoseph was, in essence, showing them that he needed them even as they needed him. 

  The idea of דבר על לבם, suggests an acceptance of each other as equals, which can bring about security and peace. 

   This is truly a cogent message for all families. Relationships are built on mutual understanding, where each member of the family can feel as if they are contributors to the welfare of all the family members. 

   This concept is not only true to our immediate families, but it is even evident within the extended families - the nations of the world, as we saw last week in the United Nations vote against America.  וידבר אל לבם  it is well to tell the world, “You need us as much as we need you, and it is time to stop showing bias against the State of Israel, a country that reaches out to others with all their resources of friendship and benevolence.” 

   Our world can become a better one, if we all begin to speak as Yoseph did with his brothers, וידבר אל לבם, acting with a change of heart, recognizing others as equals, that can bring about a fellowship, leading to seeing all brethren dwelling with respect and benevolence, one to the other. 

  With such an outlook to our society and to the larger world around us, we can resoundingly declare, as we conclude Sefer Breishis , חזק חזק ונתחזק, “May we strengthen ourselves to see the day when humanity will respect one another and the Blessing of G-D will bring about the גאולה שלמה.”