This week’s Torah portion Vayeshev tells us that Yosef (Joseph was a successful man). In fact, it informs us of his success twice.
You may be thinking, “Well obviously, he was the viceroy of Egypt and ran all its affairs.”
However, the truth is that the Torah never mentions his success once he rose to power. Instead, the Torah declares how successful he was when he was 1) a slave and 2) a prisoner.
Why would Yosef be considered successful when he was demoted to the lowest levels of society, relegated to a life of suffering and isolation from his family?
*
Today is the 19th of Kislev. It’s considered the Rosh Hashanah of the Chassidic calendar. This day commemorates the release of Rabbi Schneur Zalman, founder of Chabad from prison in Czarist Russia.
This day is marked as a festival for all Jews not merely because a great Rabbi and Tzaddik was freed from jail. In Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s eyes, there was a spiritual cause to his physical suffering; an accusation against spreading the mystical teachings of the Torah. His release indicated that opening the floodgates of Torah’s crown jewel - Chassidus - was the appropriate thing to do.
In other words, his imprisonment was the catalyst for even greater good.
And, this is also the way Yosef viewed his predicament.
It would be no big deal – and therefore no lesson for us – to state the obvious, that Yosef was successful as the viceroy of Egypt. Rather, the Torah is teaching that we can be successful even in the most trying and pressing of environments and circumstances – if we choose to view the situation through a G-dly prism.
Yosef viewed his time in slavery and prison as Divine mandates. He therefore was joyful and brimming with faith. He transformed the lowliest of places into the greatest of opportunities.
*
As we observe Yud Tes Kislev, let us embrace true success. By learning Chassidus, the inner dimension of Torah, we can put on G-dly spectacles and view every moment as a true success.
Gut Yom Tov and Gut Shabbos!