This week we begin reading the second book of the Torah “Shemot” (Names).
“And Yosef died, and all his brothers, and that entire generation.”(Shemot 1:6)
After Yosef and his generation died the enslavement of the Israelites by the Egyptians began. The Ohr Hachayim explains that this occurred in three stages. First Yosef died, the Israelites lost their power. Then the brothers died, as long as they were alive the Egyptians still honored them. And even afterwards, as long as the members of that first generation were alive, the Egyptians still respected them.
Rabbi Chayim Shmuelevitz gives us some clarity on this. There are two different perspectives here. One is the Egyptian perspective, that as long as they considered the Israelites important they couldn’t treat them as slaves. The other aspect is on the side of the Jews themselves, as long as they considered themselves important and worthy of respect by themselves, the Egyptians were not able to treat them in an inferior manner. Only when the Jews lost their self worth and respect were the Egyptians able to subjugate them.
The “Yetzer Hara” (evil inclination) is a master at fostering feelings of insecurity, guilt,and inadequacy. Once a person feels worthless he will try to bring others down so he can feel he is better, loosing the respect towards others.
When we see ourselves and others through H”S lens, as his beloved children with immense potential then we will try to live up to it and will also empower others to accomplish their calling.
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