The book of Exodus, Shemot in Hebrew, opens with a seemingly simple verse that holds a profound message about humility and identity. "All the people who emerged from the loins of Jacob were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt" (Exodus 1:5).
Seems straightforward, right? But the Rabbis, in their infinite wisdom, saw something deeper. Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the book of Exodus, delves into this verse with a surprising observation.
Why does the Torah need to tell us "and Joseph was in Egypt"? We already know that! The Torah isn't usually redundant, so something must be up.
Shemot Rabbah offers a compelling answer. It suggests that the phrase "and Joseph was in Egypt" serves as a reminder. A reminder that even though Joseph had risen to incredible heights, becoming a powerful figure in a foreign land, he never forgot his roots.
He remained connected to his family, to his identity as one of Jacob's sons. Even surrounded by Egyptian grandeur, he was still, at heart, one of the seventy souls who descended into Egypt.
But there's more. The text goes on to say, "Even though Joseph ascended to royalty, he did not relate to his brothers and his father’s household with haughtiness. Just as he was insignificant in his [own] eyes initially when he was a slave in Egypt, so too, he was insignificant in his [own] eyes after he was king."
Think about that for a second. Joseph experienced the ultimate rags-to-riches story. He went from being a slave, stripped of his freedom and dignity, to being second-in-command to Pharaoh himself! It would have been easy, perhaps even understandable, for him to let that power go to his head. To look down on his brothers, who had, after all, sold him into slavery.
But Joseph didn't. Shemot Rabbah emphasizes that he maintained a sense of humility, a sense of perspective. He remembered what it was like to be "insignificant," to be vulnerable. And that memory shaped his actions, even as a king.
This isn't just a nice story about a good guy. It's a powerful lesson about staying true to yourself, regardless of your circumstances. It's about remembering where you came from and treating others with respect, no matter their station in life. It’s about recognizing that true greatness isn’t about power or status, but about character and humility.
So, the next time you find yourself facing success or struggling with adversity, remember Joseph in Egypt. Remember that your past doesn't have to define you, but it can inform you. And that true strength lies not in forgetting who you are, but in embracing it with humility and grace.