In this torah portion we read of the final stage in the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. After Jacob’s funeral, the brothers asked the sons of Bilhah to tell Joseph as follows: "Your father commanded [us] before his death, saying, 'So shall you say to Joseph, Please, forgive now your brothers' transgression and their sin, for they did evil to you. Now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the G-d of your father.'
We have no record of Jacob ever saying such words.
What prompted the brothers to take such drastic action?
The Midrash tells us that the brothers saw Joseph behave in ways that they misinterpreted as holding a grudge against them.
This pattern - the brothers misinterpreting Joseph’s behavior previously led to drastic consequences with his attempted murder and sale into slavery. This time, it seems the brothers were more diplomatic with far better results.
The Talmud teaches a powerful lesson based on this story. “It is permitted to modify (a statement) for the sake of peace”.
This week, America remembered a past president - Gerald Ford. The first thing he did after taking office was to unequivocally pardon the disgraced Richard Nixon. According to many analysts it cost him his reelection. People felt that Nixon should stand trial for his crimes “let the truth come out” they said. Ford knew otherwise “It could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must”.
Often times, peace and truth are opposed. Compromise by definition is relinquishing something that you hold to be true. But as the old Israeli proverb goes “you can be right or smart”.
We are still left with a question:
The brothers did not deviate from the trth – they fabricated it!
The Likutei Pirushim explains:
They expanded on Jacob’s words “Gather and I will tell you what will happen to you at the end of days” Surely, they thought, our father meant for us to be at peace with each other.
May it be G-d’s will, that by us making peace we finally come to the end of days with the coming of Moshiach now!
