Two women: One dresses as a prostitute and attracts an older man into a tryst; she is lauded for her spiritual intuition and rewarded with the seed of Moshiach. The other attempts to seduce a younger man and is repulsed; she is forever branded a brazen hussy whose name is not even worth mentioning.
The point-counterpoint between Tamar and Potifar's wife in this week's sedra is striking. Both women sense they are to play a part in the lineage of Am Yisrael. Tamar will give birth to Peretz, the ancestor of King David and Moshiach. Mrs. Potifar's daughter will marry Yosef. So why is Tamar considered righteous (as we say, ?tzadik ka'Tamar yifrach?) and Mrs. Potifar considered evil?
The answer lies in the reaction of both women. When Tamar is accused of immorality and sentenced to die, she does not complain and rail against G-d. She merely points out the evidence as to who impregnated her. This indicates she did what she did l'shem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven), not for personal lust, and that she trusts in Hashem to decide her fate. Thus her well-earned, exalted status. However, Potifar's wife, when rejected by Yosef, goes wild. She accuses Yosef of rape and has him thrown in jail. She takes his rebuff personally, showing - retroactively - that she never really acted out of altruistic, holy motives.
In life, we are bound to experience any number of trials, and moments of disappointment and rejection. It is what we do at that moment of stress that plays a great role in our ultimate destiny. Do we use the opportunity for self-introspection and growth, or do we become bitter and resentful, blaming G-d
and the world for our fate? It is a crucial choice and the key to our finding peace of mind.
Both Yakov and Yosef lead lives of hardship and heartache. Yakov must battle Esav and is thrown together with Lavan in a den of thieves. Yosef, for his part, is betrayed by his brothers, separated from his father and brothers, sold into slavery and slandered by a spurned suitor. Yet, just look at how they grow from these experiences. Yakov says, ?Im Lavan garti,? (?With Lavan have I lived?), an allusion to the Taryag (613) Mitzvot, as if to say, "If I could keep the Mitzvot in that place, I could keep them anywhere. He confronts Esav and establishes himself as a tower of strength, afraid of no man. Yosef rises to become leader of Egypt, nourisher of Bnei Yisrael, and Yosef HaZadik - a moral model for the ages.
The amazing character of the Jewish People is a direct result of our reaction to adversity and suffering. For even when we are crushed, G-d forbid, we make olive oil and light the way to heroism and hope.
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Rabbi Weiss is the director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.
The point-counterpoint between Tamar and Potifar's wife in this week's sedra is striking. Both women sense they are to play a part in the lineage of Am Yisrael. Tamar will give birth to Peretz, the ancestor of King David and Moshiach. Mrs. Potifar's daughter will marry Yosef. So why is Tamar considered righteous (as we say, ?tzadik ka'Tamar yifrach?) and Mrs. Potifar considered evil?
The answer lies in the reaction of both women. When Tamar is accused of immorality and sentenced to die, she does not complain and rail against G-d. She merely points out the evidence as to who impregnated her. This indicates she did what she did l'shem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven), not for personal lust, and that she trusts in Hashem to decide her fate. Thus her well-earned, exalted status. However, Potifar's wife, when rejected by Yosef, goes wild. She accuses Yosef of rape and has him thrown in jail. She takes his rebuff personally, showing - retroactively - that she never really acted out of altruistic, holy motives.
In life, we are bound to experience any number of trials, and moments of disappointment and rejection. It is what we do at that moment of stress that plays a great role in our ultimate destiny. Do we use the opportunity for self-introspection and growth, or do we become bitter and resentful, blaming G-d
and the world for our fate? It is a crucial choice and the key to our finding peace of mind.
Both Yakov and Yosef lead lives of hardship and heartache. Yakov must battle Esav and is thrown together with Lavan in a den of thieves. Yosef, for his part, is betrayed by his brothers, separated from his father and brothers, sold into slavery and slandered by a spurned suitor. Yet, just look at how they grow from these experiences. Yakov says, ?Im Lavan garti,? (?With Lavan have I lived?), an allusion to the Taryag (613) Mitzvot, as if to say, "If I could keep the Mitzvot in that place, I could keep them anywhere. He confronts Esav and establishes himself as a tower of strength, afraid of no man. Yosef rises to become leader of Egypt, nourisher of Bnei Yisrael, and Yosef HaZadik - a moral model for the ages.
The amazing character of the Jewish People is a direct result of our reaction to adversity and suffering. For even when we are crushed, G-d forbid, we make olive oil and light the way to heroism and hope.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Weiss is the director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.