Midrash, that beautiful, expansive form of Jewish storytelling, loves to shine a light on those very people. It teases out their virtues, amplifies their struggles, and ultimately, teaches us something profound about ourselves.
And that brings us to Joseph.
Now, we all know Joseph, right? The dreamer, the one with the coat of many colors, the one sold into slavery in Egypt who eventually rises to become second-in-command. Big story. But Midrash Tehillim (a Midrash on the Book of Psalms) asks a simple, yet powerful question: "Another man, who is he?"
Who is he, really?
The answer, according to the Midrash, is Joseph. And the text unpacks why he is so deserving of our attention, pointing us to key moments in his life. Take, for example, the verse from Genesis 37:15: "And a man found him, and behold! he was wandering in the field, so the man asked him, saying, 'What do you seek?'"
But what kind of man was he?
The Midrash answers: one who "feared the Lord," as evidenced by Joseph's own words in Genesis 42:18: "On the third day, Joseph said to them, 'Do this and you will live, for I fear God.'" That yirat Hashem, that awe and reverence for the Divine, was a guiding principle in his life. Think about that for a moment. In the midst of incredible hardship, of betrayal and displacement, he held onto his faith.
And it's not just about faith; it's about action. The Midrash continues that Joseph "will guide us in the way to choose, as he did not sin with his master's wife." This refers, of course, to the infamous episode with Potiphar's wife. It's a testament to Joseph's character, his unwavering commitment to doing the right thing, even when faced with immense temptation. It's not just about avoiding sin, but about actively choosing good. His nefesh, his soul, "leaned toward good."
There’s something so deeply human about this portrayal. Joseph isn't presented as some flawless, unattainable ideal. He's a man who struggles, who faces difficult choices, and who ultimately chooses the path of righteousness.
Finally, the Midrash connects Joseph to the land, stating that "He is buried in the cave, and his descendants will inherit the land," citing Numbers 32:33: "So Moses gave to them, to the sons of Gad and to the sons of Reuben and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan, the entire land with its cities and the territory surrounding them."
This ties Joseph directly to the inheritance of the Promised Land, emphasizing the lasting impact of his actions. His legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime, shaping the destiny of his descendants and the future of the Jewish people.
So, what can we take away from this brief, yet powerful glimpse into the Midrashic understanding of Joseph? It's a reminder that even in the grand sweep of biblical narratives, individual choices matter. That even when we feel lost or insignificant, our actions can have a profound impact on the world around us. And that, perhaps, the greatest heroes are not always the ones who grab the spotlight, but the ones who quietly, steadfastly choose good, day after day.