In this week’s Parsha (42:8), Yosef ascends to great power becoming the viceroy over all of Egypt. In this role, he encounters his brothers who come to Egypt during the famine looking for food. As they stand facing their long-lost brother, they have no idea it is him. They do not recognize Yosef.
I heard from Rav Yitzchok Fingerer shlita that the Tur asks, why not? Why don’t they recognize their brother? Chronologically, they were all within the same age range. They were raised together. They should have known precisely who it was. They should’ve looked at him and realized that he was Yosef – their brother.
The Tur answers that while physically they should have recognized him, mentally they could not. They were unable to fathom or conceive that their brother – the young man who was thrown into a pit and sold into slavery could now become such a great prodigy and success, they weren’t able to envision that his fortune could change so remarkably. Why is this so?
Because Yosef dreamt about opportunities and possibilities, and they mocked him for being a dreamer. Yosef was a dreamer, and they were not. We must dream about people; we must dream about their potential and the opportunities that can come their way. We must dream about a brighter future for the Jewish people. This is our obligation. Because if we don’t dream then we will never recognize our dear brothers!
It is vital for us to realize that each and every person that we encounter is a universe! When you look at another person, realize that he is like a star. He might seem small to you. However, in reality, he is huge! One must gain an awareness of the great potential of each person. One must view each person as an entire world! This can give someone the encouragement he needs to live up to his potential greatness.
A man once saw the great tzaddik of Yerushalayim, Rav Aryeh Levin zt”l talking to someone who wasn’t wearing a yarmulka. The person was secular with no connection to Judaism. Rav Levin was talking to him with much respect and honor. The man who was observing this conversation, later went to Rav Levin and asked him, “Rabbi why were you showing that man so much respect? He wasn’t wearing a yarmulka!
Rav Aryeh Levin replied, “I’m very short and I couldn’t see his head, but I was able to see his heart – and he has a Jewish heart. He has a Jewish soul, and he has so much potential in him. And hopefully one day he will wear a yarmulka!” We can learn from this story that our perception of people must be to always see their potential. We must dream about their potential and the opportunities that can come their way!
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