Author: Eve Posen

Are We Worthy? – Parshat Shemot 5784

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Here’s a question to ponder about our biblical narrative: what would have happened if, at any point, God had decided that the Jewish people were not worthy of redemption? Or worthy of receiving the Torah? It’s a question without an answer because it hypothetically negates the existence of Judaism altogether. However, at certain times in the Torah, we see what happens when God seems to consider the worthiness and the future of the Israelites.

This week we begin the book of Shemot with the parshah of the same name. Shemot leads us quickly through the change in leadership in Egypt as a new Pharaoh, one who isn’t so keen on the Israelites, decrees that all males born should be put to death. Thankfully the midwives ignore this decree, and Moshe is kept alive. As an adopted Egyptian, Moshe joins the palace, but later learns he’s an Israelite. He flees out of fear for his life, marries a Midianite woman, and starts his own family.

In chapter two, we learn how God observed the Israelite nation: “God looked upon the Israelites.” This verse implies that God was checking on the people to see exactly how they were handling this latest stumbling block in their journey. An ancient commentator conjures the image of God observing the Israelites to see the choices they make. Were they fighting and competing with one another? Or, were they working together? Despite their misery, God sees the Israelites trying to help one another instead of each person only looking out for themselves. When one finished a task, that person would help another finish their job. Therefore, it’s because of this teamwork that God sees the Israelites as worthy of being freed from Pharoah’s harsh labor.

Imagine being an Israelite in Egypt with the new king who enforced harsh physical labor on the community. There were quotas to fill and deadlines to be had. They could have easily adopted an “every person for themselves” mentality, but the Israelites knew the best way – perhaps the only way – forward was to work together. Yes, God provided the circumstances and the leader for their redemption, but this unity of purpose is what led the Israelites out of slavery and into the world where Judaism became our religion.

As they say, teamwork makes the dream work. As a community, we support one another, even when it might not always be the easiest of work. The survival of our people has always hinged on knowing when to support one another, putting aside competition, and instead standing together. That’s how we continue to prove we are indeed worthy.

It’s a Full Life – Parshat Vayechi 5784

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I have spent many hours with families as their loved ones transition from the world of the living to the next world. In a vast majority of these moments, the family will reflect on the life of the person they love who is now gone. They’ll talk about their favorite memories of their loved one, the way they lived their life, the funny anecdotes. In all of these conversations it seems that when the individual who is dying or has died had a decent relationship with their family, the living family members try to make meaning out of the death by fixing purpose to the life that was lived. “He did so much, I’m glad his suffering is over now.” “She was fierce and adventurous all the way until her last days.” “They wouldn’t want to live a life in a poor state of health; I’m grateful they died with dignity.” 

There are also times when a family is simply not ready to let go. Sometimes, even when a loved one is physically unable to care for themselves or communicate their needs, the family will pursue every avenue to prolong the physical presence of their loved one on the earth. I find these moments to be the most challenging. When we’re born we have no ability to adequately communicate our needs or care for ourselves; it takes relying on others to learn how to exist in the world. Self-reliance is one of our most valued freedoms. There is dignity in being able to care for ourselves and contribute in some way to the world around us simply through our own personal agency. This leads me to question, what does it mean to live?

This week we read Parshat Vayechi, the last in the book of Genesis. The text begins with Jacob’s request that he not be buried in Egypt, and continues with Jacob blessing each of his sons in his final hours. It ends with Joseph making a similar request of his kin to bury him back in Israel when they finally leave Egypt.

The parshah opens with the simple words “and he lived,” referring to Jacob and his life. Earlier in the Torah, Jacob made the decision to wallow in grief after he assumed his beloved son Joseph had died. Jacob, in essence, was simply waiting to die. When we read this word “lived” here, the Torah seems to suggest that things turned around for Jacob, sharing that after he was reunited with Joseph, he had a renewed will to live and as such, didn’t let any moment simply slip away. One commentator theorizes that not only did Jacob live, but he was honored and treated with dignity. The dream of a life well lived.

The inescapable truth of life is that one day we will die. The time in between is all that we’re given, and it’s up to each of us to decide what it means to live a full life. From a practical standpoint, hopefully we will all follow the example of Jacob and Joseph and make our wishes known to those who will carry on after us. But when it comes to “living,” the intent should be on its fullness, however you interpret that. This time of year, when it’s easy to find It’s a Wonderful Life on television (including a 24-hour marathon of the film), we can get caught up in trying to live up to some unknown standard of wonderful. However, what we’re all really seeking when our time has come is that people will say, “It was a full life.”

Proudly Jewish – The Impact of Oct 7 on American Jewish Identity

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I had the honor of chatting with my friend and colleague Cantor Eyal Bitton on his podcast about my trip to Israel and the impact of October 7 on American Jewry. We discussed issues of Jewish identity, antisemitism, and the role of Israel in American Jewish life.

About Proudly Jewish: Cantor Eyal Bitton hosts conversations on Israel and Jewish identity in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre. You can listen to the podcast on your favorite audio app or watch each episode on YouTube.

When Humanity Breaks the Cycle – Parshat Vayigash 5784

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Having just returned from a trip to Israel where I viewed some of the unspeakable devastation from the terror attacks on October 7 and heard from survivors and families of hostages, I cannot wrap my mind around the perspective that Israel should simply back down altogether. Those calling for a “ceasefire” are suggesting that Israel should not defend itself against acts of terror. What other country would face this type of backlash? Am I horrified at the number of civilian casualties on both sides? Yes, of course I am. It would go against every fiber of my being not to be outraged on behalf of innocent life cut short. But as much as social media would have you believe that this is a black-and-white issue with no room for gray, the relationship between Israel and Palestine has always been anything but. Action (and inaction) on both sides will always carry consequences, and that’s a lesson we learn in the Torah too.

Parshat Vayigash, this week’s Torah portion, reminds us of how the changes we make can have far-reaching implications. In the parshah, Joseph’s brother Yehudah (Judah) tries to redeem himself by asking to be imprisoned instead of Benjamin, and Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and heroically invites the whole family to Egypt to save them from the starvation facing Israel. In addition, Joseph and his father Jacob are reunited, and Joseph can finally reveal his newfound position of power.

Throughout this Torah portion, we see Joseph and his brothers rework their relationships with one another. From the trickery to the embrace, from Joseph being alone in Egypt, to him being surrounded by family. How the tables have turned! The last time Joseph and his brothers were all together they were bullying him, putting him down, and keeping him away because of his arrogance. Now, he’s the one with the power in their relationship. The brothers eventually find a way to live in harmony with one another, a seemingly happy ending.

The same cannot be said of the relationship between the Israelites and Egyptians. Part of Joseph’s plan, in order to feed all the Egyptians, is to make them into serfs for Pharoah. Pharaoh now owned the land, the food, and the people, all because of Joseph’s doing. Needless to say, the Egyptians weren’t thrilled with this outcome and held Joseph singlehandedly responsible for their servitude. 

Move forward to the next book of the Torah, and you’ll see that they take their revenge and enslave the Israelites. Why? Well, in this section of our Torah, we see that every behavior has an impact. Every action has a reaction. While Joesph’s brothers learn their lesson for mistreating Joseph, Joseph ends up mistreating others. Breaking a cycle of mistreatment will never be a one-sided endeavor. It will always be one of those “we turn our keys at the same time” ordeals. For now, we will work toward the day when humanity on all sides is reason enough to break the cycle.

Problem Seer and Problem Solver – Parshat Miketz 5784

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I don’t like problems. That’s not to say I don’t see their purpose and the growth that can come from them. What I mean is that I don’t like having lingering issues to deal with; I’d much rather solve them as soon as possible. In fact, solving them is the part I enjoy, and I realize this is a quality of mine that is both frustrating and endearing. You want me on your team because of my solution-focused attitude. You also want me far away from you because you don’t necessarily want to hear the three different holes I can poke in your well-thought-out plan. 

Our parshah this week, Miketz, brings us back into the story of Joseph. We pick up in part two of the life and trying times of Joseph. Our hero has had a few setbacks, among them being sold into slavery by his brothers and thrown into jail. However, Joseph gets his big break when Pharaoh has a startling set of dreams.

When none of Pharaoh’s resident magicians can interpret his visions, Pharaoh calls on Joseph, and with God’s help, Joseph translates the dreams as a sign of an approaching period of fertility followed by a period of famine. Joseph presents Pharaoh with a game plan and becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man in preparation for these times that will certainly be difficult not only for Egypt, but also for neighboring lands. 

In Joseph’s past his dream interpretation got him in trouble. His brothers did not take kindly to his insights. This week, Joseph is again facing the opportunity to explore a problem and find answers. However, in this case, when Pharoah goes to Joseph and seeks his interpretation, Joseph doesn’t stop after simply sharing the dire prediction. He continues with a suggested solution for the famine. Pharaoh sees Joseph’s interpretation as valid because it’s followed by a well-thought-out solution. 

I am by no means blaming Joseph, the victim of his brothers’ wicked ways. On the other hand, I can’t help but wonder if his brothers would have treated him differently, had his initial approach to dream interpretation been different. As the problem solver I strive to be, I’ve had to learn not to critique the plan or point out flaws until I have a viable solution to offer up. Perhaps our Torah portion can remind us that the first “solution” is to find common ground and work together. That’s how the hardest problems get solved.