It is said in Parashat Vayeshev within Passuk 40:6, "Why are your faces sad today?"

Yosef asked this questions to his fellow inmates in the prison which he was in by the order of Potifar. It is amazing that Yosef who himself was having so many troubles was cognizant of others in the jail with him. As the appointed head of the jail, Yosef showed leadership qualities by worrying about others. We learn from this the important lesson that a Rebbe or parent must put aside their own problems and seek out children who are having a difficult time. As the famous saying goes, “check your issues at the door,” so to speak.

Rav Shalom Schwadron points out that the entire miraculous unfolding of events in the upcoming Torah portions is entirely predicated on one chance encounter. The accurate interpretation by Yosef of the dreams of the cup-bearer and the baker in prison set in motion a chain of events which altered the course of Jewish history.

It led to Yosef’s release from jail, his appointment as second-in-command in Egypt, the fulfillment of his dreams about his family bowing down to him, his emotional reunion with his brothers and eventually his father, and the descent of the Jewish people to Egypt where they were ultimately enslaved by Pharaoh and redeemed by Moshe.

However, the pivotal episode of Yosef interpreting their dreams wouldn’t have even occurred were it not for one seemingly trivial exchange. Yosef woke up one morning and noticed that his fellow prisoners appeared aggrieved and upset. He chose to initiate a conversation which would literally change the future of all mankind, asking them quite simply, “What’s wrong?”

As we approach Hannuka we must realize that seemingly small acts, small flickers of light, that we perform can accomplish so much!

Rabbi Alex Miller

718-232-0100

ramiller@ydeschool.org

Rabbi alex Miller is a Menahel at Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim Boys Elementary School located in Brooklyn NY.