The well-known saga of Joseph and his brothers begins in Parshat Va-Yeshev. At the outset, we learn of the brothers’ animosity toward Joseph (they “hated” and “envied” him: verses 4, 8 & 11). Though the text does not explicitly reveal how this affects Joseph (Joseph’s dreams are reported, but not his feelings) it is safe to assume that Joseph is not totally oblivious to his brothers’ emotional state. He must have felt that he was unwelcome amongst them. He must have felt their hatred and envy.

Nonetheless, we learn that Joseph is sent by his father to report on his brothers’ activities. Along the way, astute readers will notice that something unusual happens.

(15) A certain man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field.

Joseph is “wandering in the field”—he’s literally lost. Of course we, who already know the entire Joseph saga realize that he is more than just physically lost: he’s emotionally and spiritually lost as well. This is what frequently happens when one leaves the security of home and is suddenly alone in a wide open space.

Stranger than this, though, is that a “certain” unnamed man appears out of nowhere (and will soon disappear just as mysteriously) and “finds” the lost Joseph in the middle of this vast open space. Who is this “man”? Where did he come from? Why is he here? If Joseph is searching all over the place, then how come he didn’t notice this man first? Instead, this man finds Joseph…. And then comes a rare and pivotal moment in Joseph’s life:

The man asked him, “What are you looking for?”

“What are you looking for?”!! Note that the man did not ask: “Who are you looking for?” (The distinction is even clearer in the Hebrew). If Joseph’s mental state had been better, perhaps he would have seen the gift being offered him; he would have seen the way out of his current predicament.

Being “lost”, in the middle of nowhere, vulnerable and exposed perhaps for the first time in his life, allows Joseph to stumble upon one of the most significant questions anyone can face: “What are you looking for?” This question resonates with—perhaps even haunts—each and every one of us today. And like Joseph, most of us miss the opportunity to answer it correctly. The irony is that Joseph initially blurts out what he’s really looking for, just as we often initially know what we really want:

(16) He said, “I am looking for my brothers.”

This is, indeed, what he really seeks! Joseph is looking for his brothers. For his family, his support system, the love and closeness brothers (and sisters!) usually share with one another. It’s so simple, and it rings so true. Is this not what all of us seek as well? Is this not what Joseph finally realizes and succeeds in attaining near the end of his life and after much pain and hardship? He was lucky, not everyone gets a second chance.

But it’s too bad he missed the first chance. He should have stopped talking here and allowed the “man” to help him find his emotional and spiritual brothers. Instead, he sabotaged his own efforts—how sad, but true to real life—and didn’t pay attention to his immediate, instinctual, heartfelt desires. He missed the opportunity by continuing:

“Tell me, please, where they are feeding the flock.”

The divine moment was lost—as was Joseph—when he focused on the mundane affairs of feeding flocks rather than listening to the spiritual yearnings of his heart.

Alas, Joseph is to be excused since he was young, and this is only a story. But what about us? What are we looking for? Who do we consider to be our brothers? Where are they, and how can we bridge our estrangement from them?

Recent Articles by Rabbi Gary Tishkoff

• Rabbi Gary Tishkoff - May 21st, 2006
• Vayyeshev: What Are You Looking For? - December 22nd, 2005

Categories: Bereshit / Genesis, Vayyeshev
Tags: Bo, ease, human rights, palestinians, settlers