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This week’s portion, VaYeshev, is the third in a row of names that indicate action: VaYeitze, VaYishlach: He went out and He sent, and this week we have And He settled (in the land where his father lived, in Canaan). We know what it’s like to live in a land where we do not share the same identity as those around us. Particularly at this time of year in the US we may be greeted with “Merry Christmas” or “Enjoy the holidays” and perhaps wonder how to respond. Being in the minority has not always been comfortable, and this week’s Torah portion contains stories of extreme examples. Joseph finds himself sold as a slave and bought by a high placed Egyptian official. His wife does her best to seduce him, and he rebuffs her. As a slave he takes a real risk in doing so, she could summarily dismiss him, or worse, give a malicious deceitful account of the assault to her husband and have him jailed (which is exactly what happens).

We know that Joseph does rise to power further down the road, and so his preservation of his modesty is held up as an attribute to be lauded. He retains his dignity despite his “low status” and thus is a good example of how to be true to one’s values despite them not being shared by the majority. Joseph’s pendulum of status, from most favored child to a commodity sold to a passing caravan, from a slave to a prisoner until, finally, he ‘comes into his own’ seem meant to tell us to have patience, and faith, in the end it will be well.

The lesson I learn from this part of Joseph’s life is “if we don’t expect praise and recognition that doesn’t mean we lack self-worth”. As we head into the darkness that we will proudly illumine with Chanukah candles this coming week I ask us all to ask “have I been expecting something that I don’t really need confirmed?’” “Am I satisfied with how I express my values in my life even if others disagree?” You  may not win a popularity contest, but if your life is a true expression of your values our tradition says that is what gives enduring satisfaction.

May your Chanuka be filled with light!  

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Leah Benamy