Sometimes you just have to shake your head, drop your jaw, and gaze in wonderment. I know that Art Linkletter said that "Kids say the darndest things!" But, kids are nothing compared to adults, particularly adults with a microphone. Politicians, Hollywood celebrities, athletes, and other media stars just can't keep from revealing to us that they truly have no understanding of a variety of things they insist on commenting about. What could help them to give more consideration prior to opening their mouths?

This week's parashah, Va-Yeishev, begins the Joseph narrative with the familiar story of Joseph's vicious treatment by his brothers. The story begins with Joseph's revelation to his father and brothers of two dreams easily transparent as conveying that all of his family occupy an inferior position to him. Not only are his brothers angry, but his father, Jacob, berates him for sharing his dreams. What was Joseph thinking? Not long after, Jacob does something quite surprising. Knowing how the other brothers feel about Joseph, Jacob, nonetheless, sends him to Shechem to check up on the brothers and their flocks. What was Jacob's agenda?

Jacob clearly knew that Joseph was foolish to share his dreams with his family. But, Jacob understood that Joseph's poor decision-making was a result of his lack of understanding of his brothers and the world they occupied. Joseph had been favored, pampered. So, Jacob sent Joseph to Shechem to gain a better understanding of who is brothers were, of what they do and are about. Joseph, or any of us, must not feel superior just because of the environment in which we were born, we need to understand the other before we categorize or demonize. Perhaps if those who spout off in the media without pausing for thought gave a little more time to understanding those they feel compelled to speak about, we would all have more time to learn about each other.

Shabbat Shalom.

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