Vayesheb. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Title
- Vayesheb. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
- Author
- Morais, Sabato
- Format
- 12 pages on 4 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 9, Folder 7
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3q23rk7f/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3q23rk7f
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx9FF7_4.xml
- content
-
A lecture on Vayesheb exhorting youths to imitate Joseph's character.
"Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojourning, in the land of Canaan". Brethren! The Rabbis in the Medrash, commenting upon the passage, with which our Parasha begins, remark that, judging from the checkered life of Jacob, we may infer that it is not in the wise dispositions of Providence, always to award to the righteous, perfect tranquillity here below; but that He subjects them to trials, the remembrance of which will heighten in their spiritual eyes the unalloyed peace reserved for them hereafter. They express themselves as follows: [Hebrew] [Hebrew] "Jacob sought now to abide at ease, but Joseph's trouble came on. God said: let the happiness opportuned unto the just in the future world, suffice as a full recompense."
But aside from that important teaching, conveyed by the words of our Sages, the scriptural narrative designated for this sabbath, is fraught with other lessons of moral value. I will endeavour briefly to present them, for the special benefit of the junior portion of my hearers.
Dear young friends! The sacred history introduces us into a family-circle. There sits the aged father, whose brow early cares have furrowed. In youth, he had been an object of the fondest love to a mother indiscreetly partial. His obe--dience to her orders, when it involved the perversion of truth, made him an exile from the home, where his affections were centred. In manhood, human cove--tousness--that monster, which, like the horse lead, described in the book of proverbs, cries incessantly "give, give,"--set against him, hindered for years his temporal success. When after having long borne "the draught by day, and the frost by night" he had gained a competence, through a contrivance, which only the pressure of surrounding circumstances, could justify, and he was wending his way to the country of his birth, he met at its entrance, a seeming opposition, which filled him with consternation and dread. When that had been overcome, by the merciful interposition of the Lord, who softened the heart of Esau, he suffered shame, danger, and horror, by the abduction of his only daughter, and the cruel vengeance taken
by two of his sons. And, when almost at the threshold of the parental dwelling, he anticipated nothing but joy, he met with the sorest of domestic afflictions. The wife for whose sake he had toiled and drudged under a wily employer, was pre-maturely torn from his arm by the angel of death. Yet, time that heals our wounds, applied also its balm to Jacob's bleeding heart, and the devotion of his children, became a restorative to the patriarch of his declining age. Humanly speaking, he might have enjoyed this state of quietness to the end of his life, but one of the basest passions which man can harbor in his breast, disturbed the harmony of the household. Dear friends! Of all studies that of the human heart is the most difficult. Few can penetrate its folds, and see it in all its nakedness, but Solomon understood it well, when he declared "envy" to be a subtle disposition, which, while seeking to injure, receives the greatest injury. Because he perceived its onward working, by the eye of
inspiration, he asserted that whosoever entertains it, undermines his own existence. "Envy is rottenness to the bones" [Hebrew] Pride is despicable, arising from an overweening estimate of our worth, and a disparaging opinion of other persons. It is despicable, because; though we were the handsomest and the greatest, the gifts we enjoy are only favors from the Supreme, still while latent, pride may gratify the silly individual who is flushed thereby, and harm none of his fellow-creatures. Irritability is very reprehensible. It may trample, in its outburst, upon the most sacred duties, nevertheless, then may be found accompanied with it, noble impulses, and by dint of gentle reasoning, and suavity of man--ners, that evil disposition may be brought under control; but envy even in a passive state, shows its pernicious effects. Have you ever observed in the summer evenings the winged moth, whirling around the flame, which will at last consume it? Even like it, its envy. To him that entertains it, the happiness which others enjoy, is an [?] canker, corroding his body. Their honor, he considers his own degredation, and
and he repines; their preferments in society are looked upon by him as detrimental to his interests, and he chafes and frets. Woe to the mind which is so poisoned, woe also unto the unfortunate creation, against whom envy gnashes its teeth.
The first part of the history of Joseph, which we have just perused, shows the direful results of that passion on him, against whom it is directed. Jacob's paternal love, was felt towards all his off--spring, but Joseph was the son so anxiously looked for, so [?]fully asked of God by his dear Rachel, that now when she lay in her grave, it seemed as if the a twofold spring of life ran twofold through the child's veins. It seemed as if he claimed a double portion of affection. And as it naturally happens, when we love strongly; Jacob imagined the object on whom he bestowed the tenderest solicitude to be so perfect, as to call forth in every breast only the identical feelings he cherished. So did the fond parent believe, when he gave Joseph tokens of his predilections.
But he knew not that his indiscretion had sowed the seeds which brought forth rankling hatred. The sterling qualities he had discovered in Rachel's elder son, were not so apparent to the rest of his children. They believed they he was undeservedly held too high among the members of one family. Joseph was had not, in all likelihood been loth to show some degree of superiority. And the Scriptures relate that he would at times create mischief by going tale-bearing respecting some of his brother's conduct. In fact, they regarded his dreams are an indication of the ambitious notions which his father's partiality had awakened. Nur--turing long these rancourus sentiments, their envy became so terribly deep, that it instigated a heinous crime. The death of Joseph was determined upon. Their scheme, however, did not meet with general approbation. Reuben came to the deliverance of the innocent youth. He was the first born son of Jacob, and maturer years had taught him experience. What his brothers condemned as a domineering spirit, he attributed to youthful imprudence. Nor did he view with the same jaundiced eyes the
favoritism which Joseph enjoyed. Though he may have considered it unmerited, still he would not suffer it to beget misery and guilt. He would spare his hoary-headed father the pangs attending the loft of his darling son, and he endeavoured by his sanguine counsel to gain time, that he might restore security to one, and peace to all the members of the household.
But "there is a Providence Divinity, that shapes our ends." The sove--reign mind that rules guides earthly events, had predestined discovered in the envied youth a being fit to become "the ruler of all Pharaoh's possessions, to bind princes at will, and teach se--nators wisdom." How puny, how insignificant are man's designs when antagonistic to the will of the Almighty Creator. [Hebrew]
[Hebrew] 'Joseph's brothers said: We shall see what will become of his dreams, but a voice from above re-echoed "We shall see"; yes, we shall see, whose purpose will succeed." Thus, my dear friends, our Rabbins pithily si-gnify the watching of a never slumbering God over His creatures. The lad against whom, envy
would had levelled its destructive arrows; the lad whom envy would have crushed by bondage and ill-usage, was that on whom the eye of the Lord was set to crown him with glory and might.
Yet many numerous and exceedingly grievous trials did he undergo, before that happy event was brought to pass. How he bore those sufferings, is the study to which you, my dear young friends, should devote your minds.
Many a one, seeing himself hated by those from whom he should have expected forbearance at least, if not an entire overlooking of his slight faults, and fraternal forgiveness. Perceiving that his imploring not to be snatched away from a dear and aged father fell on hearts of flint. Finding himself mere chattel in the hands of slave-traders, whereas he had been tended as the most precious treasure, many a one so woefully situated, might have been apt to murmur against Providence, and given admission to thoughts opposite to goodness and virtue. He might have conceived that cunning promises better success than innocence,
falsehood bears more agreeable fruits than truth. He might then have determined to resort to craft and fraud and lying, in order to overcome the difficulties which appeared to beset righteousness. But not so Joseph. While under his father's an-xious care, he may have evinced some foibles, conse--quent upon his unripe age, but when thrown on his own resources, he is the most virtuous, the noblest most perfect of men. It mattered not to him, if Poliphar was only his owner, who could dispose entirely of his life. Enough that he expected to receive his faithful services. Joseph rendered them with a degree of steadiness and integrity, which stands as a bright exemplar to all who pledged themselves to labor for the interest of their em--ployers. As bondman and an outcast, poor and undefended, he still did not covet the riches placed under his immediate control. It might have been extremely easy for him to share his master's wealth, through the treachery of a wicked wife. But his soul repelled the debasing idea. The darkness gloom darkness of a dungeon, was a refulgent light to Joseph, when compared with a life of unfaithfulness and inq inequity.
Cast into prison together with malefactors, his up--rightness did not succumb to temptations. The companions who shared his sad fate, might have offended society. Human justice might have demanded the punishment they endured; but he had committed no crime. Why should he not profit by the implicit reliance of which the superintendent of the prison put on him to make his escape, regardless of the chastisement which might have been visited for it upon the latter? No: to the chief butler, whose approaching release he predicted, Joseph said: "If thou wilt but think of me, when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make not mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house." What submission to the decrees of Providence! What deep consideration for the welfare of other beings, not to jeopardize it, but rather suffer discomfort and privations and gloom. The victim of calumny still rigidly honest, a being in a state of abjection, yet highly honorable.
My dear young friends! I will not anticipate events.
The three sections which follow that we have read this Sabbath, from an episode of Biblical history bringing to view a completion of human virtues. But you have been shown the lessons which our Parasha conveys, namely, partiality begetting envy, and this giving rise to an inhuman act, causing affliction, and--as described hereafter--biting remorse. You have been shown also how the fear of God sustained a youth, set upon by trials, and exposed to seductions, and you have moreover been made to understand that if natural promptings should, even for a moment, have suggested subterfuge to avert sorrows, his noble soul revolted at the instigation, and kept its snowy in--nocence. Carry out the instruction in your daily walks. You will doubtless meet therein with allurements, think then of Joseph, of his iron will to rise above all enticements. Imitate his conduct, and you will be strong in virtue, you will be industrious, and trust-worthy. You will be considerate and kind and humble and though the exercise of those qua--lities, may for a time, appear fruitless, you will still cling to them, from principle, and feel most assured that the eyes of God are upon you that the hopes you have formed will not be cast off, but you [?] shall be equal to your goodness. - Identifier
- p3q23rk7f
- identifier
- SMBx9FF7_4
Part of Vayesheb. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated
Morais, Sabato, “Vayesheb. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Undated”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed September 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/91332