Begin forwarded message:
From: "Daily Lightpoints" <peninim@likras.org>
Date: December 13, 2015 at 6:02:01 AM EST
To: "abcvin@gmail.com" <abcvin@gmail.com>
Subject: The Urgent Need for Change
Reply-To: <peninim@likras.org>
The Urgent Need for Change
The Urgent Need for Change
Twenty-two years had passed from when Yaakov had last seen his son Yosef. These twenty-two years corresponded, according to Rashi (Bereishis 37:34), to the twenty years that Yaakov lived with Lavan and the two years that he lingered on his journey home, during which he had not fulfilled the mitzvah of honoring his own father and mother.
Accordingly, we can understand why when Yosef revealed his identity to his brothers he instructed them to return home immediately and quickly bring Yaakov to Egypt. "Come down to me, do not tarry!" he insisted. For now that Yaakov's punishment had run its course, Yosef desired that Yaakov be reunited with him immediately and not suffer for even one extra moment.
This detail in the episode of Yaakov and Yosef teaches us an important lesson. At times, we encounter situations that demand a harsh or even punitive response on our part, what our Sages call "distancing with the left hand" (Talmud, Sotah 47a). We must be extremely careful, however, to take this approach only to the extent that it is absolutely necessary. The moment that such strict discipline is no longer required, we must urgently and hurriedly revert to being compassionate and accepting—in the words of the Talmud, "bringing close with the right hand."
—Likkutei Sichos, vol. 15, p. 390
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