Yosef 

When we think of Yosef HaTzadik, so many different words come to mind: challenge, ketonet passim, brothers, family, dreams, Eishes Potifar, bones, Mitzrayim, sold, Efraim, Menashe, the list goes on….

On the surface, the details of Yosef’s life seem disjointed, or related only by the calamity he seemed to endure time and again. However, we know that every life, and every event that occurs within one’s life, is deliberate and is meant to bring one closer to their life’s purpose.

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At this time of year, as we welcome the Ushpizin into our sukkot, we are invited to look more deeply at Yosef and his lived experiences. Kabbalah teaches that Yosef embodies the sefirah of Yesod, bringing its spiritual qualities into tangible expression in this world. Through Yosef’s life, his challenges, relationships, resilience, and faith, the beauty and depth of Yesod were revealed. His story allows us to encounter these qualities not merely as abstract ideas, but as a lived reality from which we can continue to draw strength and inspiration throughout the generations.

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The sefirah of Yesod functions as the connector between all of the sefirot which precede it and the recipient, Malchut. It is the distributor of good, of life force, energy, and love. Yesod is also associated with the establishment and continuity of family. Yosef lived his purpose as the channel for Yesod in both life and death.

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Yosef harnessed the painful interactions with his brothers to create love and connection, thereby ensuring the continuity of Klal Yisrael. Again we this quality in the next generation when Menashe and Efraim were blessed by Yaakov. According to Medrash, Yosef taught Menashe the value of family and deference in order to preserve unity. Later in time Hashem rewards Menashe with Pi Shnayim and a double portion of land in Eretz Yisrael.  In death, Yosef’s bones traveled with B’nei Yisrael at the center of the camp, binding the shevatim together as they traveled. In fact, the only way B’nei Yisrael were zocheh to leave Mitzrayim was by retracing the steps that had brought Yosef down to Mitzrayim, thereby repairing the rift created so long ago. Yosef was always at the center keeping Klal Yisrael together.

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Dad, Yosef is your namesake. Like Yosef, family is everything to you. You are quick to notice and celebrate the intellectual strengths and life passions that your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren pursue. You encouraged, supported, and helped grow the next generation of our family, and the generations after as well.

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There have been many times along my journey when I felt discouraged, and you found the words to uplift me by reminding me of my purpose, with specific examples you picked up on from my teaching. You watched and listened and were able to connect me back to my purpose when I felt adrift.

Like Yosef, you continue to give to your family with all of your being. Your centrality and yishuv hada’at bind us together. Yosef’s actions, few words, and gentle tone reflected the feelings in his heart. The same can be seen in you as well.

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Dad, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for us. It never goes unseen or unappreciated. Thank you for reminding us of what matters and for helping us stay close to the path that binds us.

May you continue to have clarity of purpose, good health, and nachat from your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May we continue to follow the path you have shown us, remaining bound together as a family and carrying your values forward from generation to generation, until the coming of Moshiach, bimheirah b’yameinu.