By Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
At the end of this week’s Torah portion, the last parasha in the book of Genesis, Joseph’s brothers come to him and ask for his forgiveness for the terrible way they betrayed him all those years ago when they sold him into slavery. He forgives them and then he notes that even though they had wanted to harm him through their actions, God intended it all for the good. And, indeed, it was for the good. Had his brothers not sold him into slavery, he wouldn’t have ended up in Egypt, second to Pharaoh, in the position to save multitudes of people, including his own family.
As we prepare to welcome 2018, may we model these lessons in the year to come. If we cause harm, may we, like Joseph’s brothers, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness, and commit ourselves to doing better going forward. If we are wronged, let us, like Joseph, find it in our hearts to forgive. May our intentions always be for the good and may we do our best, in partnership with God, to merit a year of health, prosperity, generosity, justice, love and peace for our community, our nation, Israel and all the world.