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In Parshat Vayechi, the last parsha of Sefer Bereshit, an ailing Yaakov Avinu calls all of his sons together in order to give each one a message of moral instruction – sometimes as blessing, sometimes as rebuke, before his death. What blessing would Yaakov bestow upon his beloved son, Yosef? What message of moral instruction, what final words of wisdom and blessing would the long-suffering father impart to his long-lost child? Says Yaakov: “A son of grace is Yosef, a son of grace to the eye; young damsels stepped up to gaze” (Bereshit 49:22). What do these cryptic words mean? According to Rashi, quoting the Midrash, the idea that others seek to gaze upon Yosef means, “The evil eye will not affect his offspring.” How are we to understand this?
According to Rav Soloveitchik, “Many people live their lives based on what others think of them. They rejoice when they hear how others appreciate them, how their accomplishments and ideas are praised; but when they are criticized or ridiculed, they completely lose their self-confidence – they have received an ayin hara (evil eye). Those who live with such insecurity quickly reach a state of depression, their psyches damaged. Their efforts will inevitably lead to failure. Creativity in any activity requires self-confidence and belief in one’s own abilities. Had Yosef been overly concerned about his brothers’ opinion, he could not have become the great dreamer that he was. Although his brothers ridiculed him, Yosef did not lose his self-confidence and did not stop dreaming. His brothers’ ayin hara did not affect him” (Divrei Hashkafah, pp 238-239).
Yaakov blesses Yosef that he continues to be a dreamer – to never stop dreaming! However, in order to be a dreamer, in order to live a life of creativity and wonder, in order to strive ever higher towards meeting one’s goals, one must have self-confidence and not be subject to the gaze of others. While it is true, we must be concerned with how others perceive us, we cannot allow the opinions of others – the derision, condescension, skepticism of others to control us and determine our views of ourselves. True creativity comes from a life lived with authenticity, integrity and determination. In order to dream, one must believe in oneself, and hold one’s ambitions steady and unwavering no matter what. The blessing Yaakov gave Yosef – his final words of moral instruction to his son were simply this: “Be authentic. Have integrity. Believe in yourself. Never stop dreaming.”
May we all endeavor to live lives of authenticity and confidence – always keeping our eyes on the prize, undeterred by the stares, gazes, opinions and jeers of others. Just like Yosef, every Jew is called to be a dreamer, and aspire to live lives of creativity and wonder in relationship with the Divine and each other. This Shabbat, may we all heed the words of Yaakov to have the confidence to dream, to persist in our life goals and continue to reach for heights others may think impossible to attain.
Shabbat Shalom!
-Rabbi Dan
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