In this weeks parasha, Jacob and his family join his son Joseph to live in Egypt. The Torah states that this move seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh. (Gen. 45:16). Why would Pharaoh care whether or not Josephs family would be in Egypt, and why would he be pleased about it? On this issue the commentators differ. According to the Seforno, Pharaoh realized that a person works harder when his labors benefit his own family as well as strangers. According to the Ramban, Pharaoh realized that the presence of Josephs family would mean that the populace would no longer regard Joseph as a mere ex-convict and former slave, but would now regard him as the progeny of a fine and noble family. The two views, taken together, offer a compelling lesson about leadership: For a person to fulfill his/her potential, he/she needs to be able to invest heart and soul, to feel that ones own family and future are at stake in the outcome. Secondly, a person needs to have credibility in the eyes of those he serves. These two traits, vigor and eminence, are often associated with success. In the eyes of Pharaoh, they are its building blocks as well. B’Yedidut (w/friendship), Rabbi Mitch Levine
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 16:30:12 +0000