Honest and Direct

December 7-8, 2012 / 24 Kislev 5773

Shabbat Vayeshev

Torah Reading: Genesis 37:1-40:23 / Haftarah Reading: Amos 2:6-3:8

“Honest and Direct”

Dear Friends,

When we see a problem about to occur, whom do we tell?  In this week’s Torah portion, we learn that Joseph was constantly giving bad reports to his father Jacob about his older brothers.  He was a tattletale and a squealer.  No wonder his brothers did not trust him. He acted not as a brother, but as a mole for his father. So, of course, at the first chance his brothers got, they plotted against him, and sold him into slavery.  It was anything they could do to get back at him for his devious and shifty ways.

Our tradition teaches us that we must warn our fellow human being - neighbor, sibling, friend or stranger - if we see them about to commit a sin.  It is found in the Holiness Code in the midst of Leviticus 19, verses 16: “You should not hate your brother in your heart; you should surely reprimand your neighbour, and not bear sin because of him.”  If in fact the brothers were about to act so badly, then Joseph’s error was in not telling his brothers first of whatever it was that were about to do wrong.  Our tradition emphasizes that we must be given the chance to correct our ways.  That begins with being made aware of our potential for misdeeds.  Only after the warning and any misdeeds, should he have gone to their father.

Joseph’s actions fall under the principle derech eretz – or thoughtful conduct.  When we make others aware of their potential for misbehavior, we are acting as true mentschen (plural of mentsch).  We are doing a mitzvah in that we are making others aware and giving them the chance to change their ways and improve their lives.  Being honest and direct is the best path.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow