Stand Up and Be Counted!

In this week's Torah reading, the saga of Joseph and his brothers continues.

Joseph's staff have just planted his silver goblet in his brother Benjamin's sack, subsequently discovered the goblet and brought the brothers before Joseph, ruler of Egypt, to await their fate.

Judah, who told his father Jacob that he would take responsibility for his youngest brother Benjamin, approaches Joseph and sums up the situation, pointing out the danger to Jacob if Benjamin does not return safely to his father.

Judah initially tells Joseph '…may your anger not flare up at [me]…' From the very fact that he had to mention this, the commentator Rashi concludes that 'we learn that Judah spoke to Joseph harshly'. He then challenges Joseph's version events and even hints at the false charges against the brothers.

At first glance, bearing in mind that Judah had no idea that he was speaking to his brother Joseph, his approach seems incredible and misguided. Why would somebody approach a powerful ruler who could quickly have him incarcerated or worse, with harsh words, rather than a soft approach? Surely tact and diplomacy would be in order in such a situation! Judah would seem to be powerless, yet he went in with guns blazing, even though he was up against somebody more powerful.

We may find ourselves in a position to make a stand, to defend our principles or to protest something which is wrong, yet we wonder what the point would be of saying anything. Who am I to protest? Who will take any notice? What is the point? Often we choose to remain silent, feeling that our cries will not make any difference.

Sometimes we have to stand up and be counted, even against a more powerful adversary, even if it seems pointless. We have to be prepared to be strong and to stand up for what we believe in and what is right. We do not always have to make a reckoning as to how effective my 'one voice' will be, but to do the right thing and speak out, even if only for the sake of our own moral standards.

This is especially true, as in the case in this week's Parsha, when the welfare of a child is at stake. We have to stand up for what is right and what is moral, rather than stand idly by.

Even if my 'one voice' doesn't, appear to have an effect at least I know for myself that I did not compromise on my principles, that I spoke out for what I believe in and what is right. On the other hand, it may even have an effect.

Shabbat Shalom