This wasn't just a fleeting moment of goodwill; the Book of Jubilees specifies that this harmony lasted for "ten weeks of years" – seventy years in total – all the days of Joseph's life.
But what made this period so exceptional?
The text highlights a key element: "And there was no Satan nor any evil all the days of the life of Joseph which he lived after his father Jacob..." Now, when we hear the word Satan, we might immediately think of the embodiment of evil, the adversary. But here, it seems to represent something more subtle, perhaps the very yeitzer hara, the "evil inclination" within us all, that voice that whispers of selfishness, jealousy, and discord. (We find the concept of yeitzer hara discussed in many places, including the Talmud, like in Tractate Berakhot.) With that inclination subdued, or at least held in check, a spirit of cooperation and love flourished.
And it wasn't just the Israelites who benefited. The text continues, "...for all the Egyptians honoured the children of Israel all the days of the life of Joseph." Think about that for a moment. A foreign people, once enslaved, were now held in honor by their former oppressors. What a profound shift! This wasn’t just tolerance; it was genuine respect.
The Book of Jubilees then gives us a brief timeline of Joseph’s life: "Seventeen years he lived in the land of Canaan, and ten years he was a servant, and three years in prison, and eighty years he was under the king, ruling all the land of Egypt." This paints a vivid picture of Joseph's journey – from favored son to enslaved person, to prisoner, to ultimately, a ruler. Each stage shaped him, preparing him to lead not just with authority, but with empathy and wisdom.
It makes you wonder, doesn't it? Was Joseph's leadership the sole reason for this period of harmony? Or was it something more? Perhaps it was a collective decision, a conscious choice by the people to embrace compassion and unity. Maybe the Egyptians, seeing the righteousness and wisdom in Joseph, honored his people and followed their example.
Whatever the reason, the Book of Jubilees offers us a powerful reminder that a world of peace and harmony isn't just a distant dream. It’s a possibility, a potential that lies within our grasp, if we choose to cultivate it. And perhaps, just perhaps, it starts with each of us striving to quell our own inner Satan, our own yeitzer hara, and choosing to love and help one another.