Willingness to lead and be led

I have a friend who, not so long ago, was a dedicated eater and consumer of processed food products. He once excitedly contacted me to tell me of a new product--bacon flavored salt, which he was ecstatic was actually kosher. “Now,” he said, “all my food can taste like bacon!” We reviewed the list of ingredients together and he was quite dismissive when I shared with him that, other than salt, there was not a single ingredient which was actually food; edible, perhaps, but not food. A short time later, another friend of his introduced him to Michael Pollen’s most recent book, Food Rules, where he lays out a simple guide for consumers on how to select “real food” instead of processed food products. After reading just a few pages, he called me and exclaimed, “I’m converting to ‘real food!’” Sure enough, he followed through with his words and cleared all of the processed food products from his kitchen and has since been a proud and dedicated eater and consumer of “real food.”

We all have figures in our lives who guide us towards a new development or realization. Someone whom we encounter, either by design or by chance, who acts for us as a compass and directs us on a new path--one which will change our lives forever (hopefully for the better). In this week’s Torah portion, parashat va’yeishev, we encounter a mysterious “man” who guides Joseph towards a path which changed his life forever. We read, “and a man found him and, behold, he was wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, ‘What do you seek?’” (Genesis 37:15) Joseph, by the command of his father, Jacob, was looking for his brothers. The result of this encounter would bring Joseph to be sold into slavery in Egypt which would, in turn, change the course of history for the Jewish people forever.

Each of us has the ability to change the life of another (again, hopefully for the better) and have a very real effect on their path. Often times when we see a friend, family member or neighbor struggling we want to take the easy way out and stand by. It is more comfortable to not make waves. Yet, if we can lovingly take them by the hand and guide them towards that new path, the effect we can have on their lives can be immeasurable. We also can open ourselves to our friends and loved ones, even the strangers whom we may encounter, as guides down that path by being willing to be lovingly taken by the hands. May we all strive to be both the man in the field and the wandering Joseph and be willing to lead and be led.