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The Good Eye and Graciousness of Yoseph \ Parashat Vayigash
D'var Torah: "And now it was not you that sent me here, rather it was HaShem; and He made me a father to Pharaoh, the master of his entire household, and the ruler over all the land of Egypt" (Bereishis 45:8). The fact that Yoseph attained such greatness after descending to Egypt, was a clear sign that HaShem orchestrated all these events. Indeed, Yoseph's rise from slave to king was consistent with the principle, "Everything that HaShem does is for the good." His brothers could not take any credit for Yoseph's emergence as the king of Egypt because their intention in selling him was to diminish him. Nevertheless, Yoseph consoled his brothers so that they should not castigate themselves for selling him. He expressed to them that the fact that things turned out so well for him revealed that they were righteous men, as our Sages taught, "A good thing is brought about by a meritorious person."
Moral: Yoseph demonstrated the highest level of goodness by converting his brothers intention to harm him into the very cause of his success.
Application: Envision Yoseph avoiding all rebuke to his brothers for selling him into slavery. Imagine Yoseph assuring them that they were responsible for his rise to greatness. Sense the tremendous relief that Yoseph's brothers experience upon receiving Yoseph's gracious words. Stay focused on HaShem's guiding hand in the events of your life and perceive the positive outcomes that emerge from your interpersonal relationships. (Based on the commentary of Rav Moshe Dovid Valli)
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