The long story of Joseph and his brothers comes to an end in this week’s Torah portion of Va-Yehi. The story begins with Joseph’s dreams of his brothers bowing down to him. This sets in motion the events that will lead them to sell Joseph into slavery. It is a story of leadership and power. 

      Last week, I suggested that after many years of living in Egypt, Joseph may have deliberated on whether he is a Hebrew or an Egyptian, but in the end, he embraces and forgives his brothers. Even though he is second to only Pharoah, when he reveals himself to his brothers he weeps. He is a powerful leader who is able to show his vulnerability. Perhaps that demonstration of his vulnerability is what allows for the reconciliation with his brothers.

      Yet, the story doesn’t have a happily ever after ending. Jacob dies and Joseph and his brothers bring his body back to Canaan for burial. When they all return to Egypt, the brothers worry that with their father gone, Joseph will finally take his revenge on them (Gen. 50: 15-21). They send a messenger to Joseph, telling him that Jacob left a message on his deathbed instructing the brothers to tell Joseph that he wants him to forgive his brothers. In response Joseph weeps. I think he weeps because he realizes that they don’t trust him. In a psychologically telling moment, the brothers don’t wait for a response, but rush to Joseph’s home and grovel before him and offer to become Joseph’s slaves. Joseph’s first dream of his brothers bowing to him must feel like ashes in his mouth as it becomes fulfilled. Does Joseph’s reassurance at this moment finally persuade his brothers? We can only speculate about the answer.

      The story continues in Exodus—the mighty Joseph is forgotten by a new Pharoah. It is not hard to imagine that this Pharoah has more power than his predecessors, because, thanks to Joseph’s plan for the seven years of famine, Pharoah owns all the land in Egypt. While Joseph is a model of a leader who is willing to forgive and forget and show vulnerability, Pharoah shows that not only does power corrupt, but absolute power corrupts absolutely. After painting a picture of the Israelites as a swarming horde who could overwhelm Egypt, he creates a program of genocide against the Israelite people followed by a policy of enslavement.