A Good Cry

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Vayechi

Pass the Kleenex -- Yosef's crying again.

He's got the distinction of having the most tearful outbursts in the Torah. He cries when he reveals himself to his brother, when reunited with Binyamin, upon seeing his father, at the death of his father, and when the brothers ask for forgiveness.

And despite being treated so badly, he also openly discusses G-d's providence: Fear not...although you intended me harm, G-d intended it for good..." (Bereshit 50:19-20).

Perhaps tears are a connection between experiencing life's trials and seeing

G-d's hand in it all.

Pass the Kleenex...

Narrating Our Lives

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Vayigash

When Yosef was lying in the infamous snake-and-scorpion pit back in Parshat Vayeishev (Bereshit 37:24), the last thought on his mind was being able to save his family.

But so the story goes.

Now he's second-in-command in Egypt, able to provide his family with dignified living arrangements and provisions.

He can say, "G-d has sent me ahead of you to insure your survival in the land and to sustain you for a momentous deliverance." (44:7)

If you could write the next chapter in your own life story, how would it read?

Ripple Effect

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Vayigash

Don't you love a good cry?

When Yosef cannot restrain himself from this emotional family reunion, he lets it all out.

It's such a great, tearful release that not only does Pharoah's palace hear it, but it also reaches the entire land of Egypt. (Bereshit 45:2)

Emotions are energy. What we feel ripples out beyond ourselves. This is the power of the cry of Yosef, who is the epitome of connection (as represented by yesod of the sefirot).

And if a cry can reach out so powerfully, then so can a laugh...

What emotion will you choose to ripple out today into your home and beyond?

Spreading the Word

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Mikeitz

Has life experience made you wise?  

Who gives us our wisdom?

Pharoah immediately places Yosef at the head of the palace because of his wise interpretation of the Egyptian ruler's dream.

But what really impresses Pharoah? Not Yosef's braininess, but his ability to be a spokesperson for the Ruler of the Universe: "Since G-d has informed you of all this, there can be no one so discerning and wise as you." (Bereshit 41: 39)

Perhaps the texts are suggesting that the nations look to us to be G-d's spokesmen and spokeswomen.

How will you be a voice for G-d today? 

Voice of the Inner Dreamer

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Vayeishev

Do you have a dream?

Yosef's brothers despised him for sharing his dreams: "Would you then reign over us? Would you then dominate us?"
(Bereshit 37: 8)

Yosef stands alone among a crowd of non-believers. What do we do when the dissenting voices within us try to overcome the voice of our inner dreamer? A possible answer lies in the text: His father kept the matter in mind. (37:11) Observe yourself without judging.

What would it be like to amplify the voice of your inner dreamer?  

Making Peace with the Past

by Devora Gila Berkowitz

Parshat Vayeishev

Ever regret where you've been?

Part of Yosef's journey is to be sold so many times that his brothers lose track of him (R. Munk).  Yet he will eventually end up in the right place at the right time: As second in command in Egypt, he will able to sell food to his family during the famine and bring his brothers to teshuvah -- repentence. (Bereshit 42:6).

What if the purpose of all your life's experience was to end up exactly where you are right now?

Is there something or someone you still need to make peace with, including yourself?