Jewish tradition is full of stories of forgotten heroes, and one of the most poignant comes to us from Kohelet Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Ecclesiastes.

The passage starts with a familiar scenario: "There was a small city…" Now, according to this midrash, or interpretive story, this isn't just any city; it's Egypt. And the "few men in it"? Those are the Egyptians themselves. They're vulnerable, a small group in need of help.

Then comes the threat: "…and a great king came against it and surrounded it." This, we're told, is the "wicked Pharaoh," a ruler, as the text emphasizes, "who did not act in the best interest of his subjects." This Pharaoh, consumed by his own power, lays siege. He "built a great siege upon it," the text says, using every trick in the book – "with ambush and subterfuge."

Is there any hope for the city?

Enter the hero, described in deceptively simple terms: "He found in it a poor, wise man." This is Joseph the Righteous. Remember Joseph? Sold into slavery by his brothers, he rose through the ranks in Egypt thanks to his ability to interpret dreams.

And how did Joseph save the city? The Kohelet Rabbah reminds us of Joseph's famous advice to Pharaoh: "Let Pharaoh proceed and let him appoint officials over the land…and let them gather all the food of these good years…" (Genesis 41:34). His wisdom – foreseeing the famine and preparing for it – was the city's salvation. He provided a plan to stockpile food during the years of plenty, ensuring survival during the lean years to come.

But here's the heartbreaking twist: "But no one remembered that poor man."

Ouch. Can you imagine? Saving an entire nation from starvation, only to be forgotten? It's a powerful image of ingratitude.

But the story doesn't end there. The Kohelet Rabbah offers a glimmer of hope, a divine counterpoint to human forgetfulness. "The Holy One blessed be He said: You did not remember him; I remember him, as it is stated: 'Joseph was the ruler over the land' (Genesis 42:6)."

God sees. God remembers. Even when we, in our human frailty, fail to acknowledge the good done for us, divine justice prevails. Joseph may have been forgotten by the Egyptians, but he was not forgotten by God, who ultimately elevated him to a position of power.

What does this mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder to appreciate the unsung heroes in our own lives. To remember those who have helped us, even in small ways. And maybe, just maybe, it's a comfort to know that even when our own contributions go unnoticed, there's a higher power that sees and remembers.