Vayigash, Genesis
44:18-47:27
There is a phrase Joseph says to his frightened brothers in this Shabbat’s Torah portion that connects the work week which began with International Human Rights Day with this Shabbat. This is what Joseph says: “...I am your brother Joseph, he whom you sold into Egypt. 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...” The Torah commentary Etz Chayim says regarding this verse: “The narrative here seems to make an important theological statement. God could not prevent the brothers from choosing to do something cruel. God’s role was to sustain Joseph and guide him to bring something good and life affirming out of the unfairness inflicted on him...” What precisely was “the good and life affirming”? It was to save life.
On the day we celebrated International Human Rights Day, a new organization came into being: K’vod Habriot, a Jewish Human Rights Network that will encompass rabbis, communities and individuals who feel that human rights should be a core commitment that all Jews affirm.
We, who have been the victims of persecution ever since Pharaoh enslaved us in Egypt, must feel, like Joseph in our Torah portion, that we endured it all in order to bring about something good and life affirming. The text reminds us of the Jewish mandate that here, in Israel or anywhere we are to affirm the human rights of all.
I felt incredibly gratified when Temple Isaiah’s Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the Statement of Principles of K’vod Habriot and agreed to become one of its founding partners. What is in the Statement? That the following principles are central to the teachings of Judaism:
- “Every human being is created in the image of God” It is incumbent on each of us to act in a way that affirms the fundamental dignity of every human being.
- “To do what is just and right” For a nation to have legitimacy, it must enforce a system of law that is fair, equitable and just.
- “Do not oppress the stranger, orphan or widow” We have a duty to promote a society that cares for the well-being of all its members, especially those who are most vulnerable.
There is a debate in the rabbinic literature, where some say that Joseph’s brothers stayed to long in Egypt, that as soon as the famine was over they should have returned to the Promised Land. It is the argument against assimilation! We are still around -these many years later, these many oppressions, persecutions and expulsions later. If there is a purpose for us being here it must at least affirm that it is to save life. This is what K’vod Habriot hopes to accomplish through its work in education, advocacy and celebration. Soon you will be invited to join this network as individuals or families. I want each of you to choose whether or not you want to be in the Jewish human rights loop. Good old Joseph had it right: No matter what happens to us, we have to find a noble reason even for the unfairness that may at times befall us.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Roberto D. Graetz
P.S. If you wish to learn more about K’vod Habriot, A Jewish Human Rights Network go to http://www.rhr-na.org/kvod_habriot
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