blogs/rabbi-huberman

There are many types of vaccines.

On our minds these days, is the vaccine against COVID-19, which is beginning to make its way across the world.

The idea behind a vaccine, of course, is that it immunizes us against a physical disease by enabling the development of antibodies, which ultimately protect our bodies from harm.

But is there another kind?

More precisely, is there such a thing as a disease of the soul? And, is there a spiritual vaccine that, similarly, can protect and strengthen our spirit?

Some of our rabbis believe so. And this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, provides us a case to consider.

For the past few weeks, we have been tracing Joseph’s journey from arrogant youth, to slave, to prisoner, to advisor to the Pharaoh. 

This leads him to an encounter with his brothers, who have come to Egypt to secure food for Jacob’s clan during a time of famine in Canaan. Joseph recognizes them, but they don’t know who he is; he is wearing Egyptian clothes, and it has been decades since they last saw each other.

Finally, after toying with his brothers, Egypt’s “Prime Minister” reveals his identity. “I am your brother Joseph; Is my father still well? (Genesis 45:4)

Tears flow. And, Joseph and his brothers begin the long road towards reconciliation.

This becomes possible only because Joseph, after many years alone, separated from his family — particularly his father, Jacob — chooses not to focus on the past, but rather on the present and the future.

He releases his brothers from the guilt of throwing him in a pit by concentrating on the bigger picture. He muses that perhaps it was God who engineered his long, and often painful, journey, empowering him now to rescue his brothers and their families from famine.

“Do not be distressed you sold me in Egypt,” he tells them. “It was to save life that God sent me ahead of you.” (Genesis 45:5)

Some rabbis say, that with this reunion, a type of “inoculation” took place during Judaism’s formative years — one that ultimately led Jacob’s descendants to remain strong, no matter what the future presented.

The great Israeli rabbi and politician, Rabbi Hanah Porat (1943-2011), notes that family feuds often lead to exile, but it is forgiveness that makes us collectively stronger — whether among families or, on a wider scale, within the diversity of the Jewish people.

Indeed, whenever Jews have fought amongst themselves, the outcome has been tragic. But when we choose to listen, understand, accept and reconcile, a type of spiritual vaccine is administered, which, over time, has enabled us to survive.

Rabbi Porat notes that after years of pain, guilt, deception and separation, God, “gives Jacob’s family a shot of the collective responsibility vaccine.

“This vaccine contains strains of various germs: jealousy, hatred, arrogance, and divisiveness. But in giving us a shot, God is strengthening the antibodies of our national collective to help us overcome all of the crisis and division that we will have to confront in the future.”

What an amazing observation.

Throughout the Book of Genesis, we have witnessed the actions of many dysfunctional families. Each — from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob and beyond — makes mistakes.

There are rivalries and deception. The road has not been simple. But in the end, there has always been reconciliation and forgiveness. As families and as a people, we are stronger — as the Shema teaches — when we are “one.”

For when we reconcile, accepting the flaws and challenging traits of others, we strengthen that immunization — within our families and our extended Jewish community.

During this time of COVID, we have learned many things: How so many of us would give so much to hug, kiss — and yes even disagree — in person with those we love. For those of us who have not seen our parents in almost a year — what would we give?

Indeed, family relationships are complex. We have seen each other grow from children to adults. No one knows more than family where our flaws are. We are no different than Jacob’s extended family.

Yet, when we decide to let go of grudges, when we refuse to give in to emotional slavery, when we agree to embrace with understanding those close to us, we gain strength — as individuals and, perhaps, even as a people.

Notes Rabbi Porat: “Only after Jacob’s family has been given that extra boost…can the brothers face the darkness of future exile knowing that they have the strength to overcome anything with the danger of the nation falling apart.”

And so, it has been for thousands of years. Perhaps this spiritual vaccine is why we continue to survive. For while people and groups may disagree, we never forget who we are together.

As we begin to approach the end of this dark pandemic journey, let us consider those people we have missed in person.

Some, like children and grandchildren, provide us with simple blessings. Others require a bit more patience and understanding.

But, if we follow the Torah’s example of Joseph thinking of his father first, while forgiving his brothers, we can lay down the roots of continuity with strength and improved immunity.

Over time, we as a people, have survived by choosing understanding over conflict. For there are two types of illnesses — that of the body and that of the soul.

As we begin to consider exiting this time of physical isolation, and await for our turn to receive physical protection, let us parallel this process with a new understanding of those things that have afflicted us spiritually — and those things we need to embrace or let go.

Like Joseph, we need to forgive. Like Jacob’s family, we need to immunize knowing that we are all different and, yet, all the same.

And if we do so, as the history of the Jewish people has taught us, flaws and all, nothing can break us apart.

For we are eternally immunized. We are forever strong.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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