Parashas Vayigash - Keeping a Safe Container

This week's Dvar Torah has been sponsored for:
Refua Shelema: Leah Ayala Bas Yehudis
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Last shabbos, I went on a seminar called, 'Call of the Shofar'. It was a very nice shabbos. A lot of inspiration, learning, and connecting. "The organization creates and facilitates 'powerful, transformational experiences which combine ancient truths of Judaism, modern psychological knowledge and unique experiential processes.' The system combines; A clear understanding of principles that lead to personal wellbeing and relational health, safe opportunities to deepen individual awareness and ongoing communal support."[1]

It's the type of seminar where anyone could gain by going. Whether it's a person who wants to understand more about the Torah views on life, one who has an issue from his past and needs to deal with it, or even one who is looking to get trained on coaching other people. I would recommend it to anyone.

Over that weekend, I felt as if I was able to speak my mind without having to worry whether I wouldn't be accepted, would be mocked, or embarrassed. We were all able to be authentic. It was only because we turned the environment into our own 'safe container'. Some people shared pretty personal stories with the group and others even cried. After the weekend, we all felt a strong connection to each other because we'd opened up and went to great lengths not to cause other people embarrassment.

In Parashas Vayigash, Yehuda had a 'talk' with Yosef for keeping Binyamin, their youngest brother, hostage. The Midrash says Yehuda was furious! Some say his eyes were dripping with blood, while others say he would grind iron bars with his teeth; and others say he tossed a huge heavy stone in the air, caught it, and crushed it with his feet. [2] Yaakov said earlier, "If I lose Binyamin too, it will be as if I lost my wife Rachel, my sons Yosef, and Binyamin all on the same day!" This shows you how important it was for Binyamin to come back home with the brothers and Yehuda was willing to do everything in his power to bring Binyamin back.[3]

Yehuda asked Naftali to count the amount of districts there were in the capitol of Egypt. Naftali quickly returned saying twelve. Yehuda said he would wipe out three, and the rest of the brothers will each take one. "We will make sure that not one person will remain alive," he said.[4]

Yosef knew that he could not wait any longer. He must reveal himself to his brothers, otherwise they would destroy the whole city.[4]

The posuk says, "Yosef could not contain his emotions in the presence of all who stood before him. And he cried out, 'let everyone leave my presence.' No man remained with him, when Yosef revealed himself to his brothers."

An insight I want to share: Yosef also wanted to create a safe container. A place where he could share personal information with his brothers. Rashi comments that Yosef couldn't bear the fact that the Egyptians standing by him would be listening to what he had to tell his brothers, which would ultimately humiliate them. So he ordered the Egyptians to leave, so that the room (container) would remain safe.

Yosef tried protecting his brothers from humiliation, just like everyone over the weekend tried protecting one another by keeping the container safe and comfortable.

A special thank you to those who experienced last shabbos with me, and thanks to all my subscribers for reading.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,
Nisso

[1] For more info, visit: www.CalloftheShofar.org
[1] Bereishis Rabba 93:7
[2] Taken from The Midrash Says
[3] Bereishis Rabba 93:8