Vayegash is a story of big reveals and even bigger forgiveness. After Yehuda steps up and offers himself in place of Binyamin, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers. After everyone recovers from the shock, Joseph provides reassurance that he forgives them and wants to move forward in peace. This willingness to see people for their potential futures, rather than their mistakes, reminded me of Gayle Forman’s MG novel Not Nothing.
In Not Nothing we know the protagonist, Alex, has done some awful. It’s why he is sentenced to community service in a senior living center. However, we don’t find out what that terrible action is until after we’ve gotten to know him, felt his pain, seen his ability to connect with the seniors – including a Holocaust survivor who shares his story with Alex after years of refusing to speak.
Judaism does not require forgiveness. In fact, teshuva- the process of repentance – involves numerous steps designed to transform a person into their better selves even before approaching a victim for forgiveness. Indeed, Joseph puts his brothers through a series of challenges that prove they no longer leave a brother behind. In the same way, Alex’s mistakes are not diminished or taken away. We are simply asked to remember him for the best things he’s done since that time rather than the worst. Forgiveness is earned, but wouldn’t it be nice if that option was open to us all?