In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Miketz, we encounter one of the most dramatic moments in human history: Joseph, imprisoned for years, rises in an instant from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of Egyptian leadership.
The Torah recounts: “Then Pharaoh sent and summoned Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon; he shaved, changed his clothes, and came before Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:14).
Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, the esteemed spiritual leader, offers profound insights into these verses. He explains that the story of Joseph is not merely a historical account but a fundamental lesson ingrained in the Jewish soul: the ability to ascend from the lowest depths to the greatest heights in a single moment, without any prior preparation.
For 12 long years, Joseph languished in prison, cut off from the world and its happenings. Surrounded by criminals and individuals of ill repute, he endured complete isolation. Yet, from the depths of this obscurity, he was suddenly elevated to unparalleled greatness. When Pharaoh recounted his dream, Joseph interpreted it with extraordinary precision, prompting Pharaoh to proclaim: “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you” (Genesis 41:39).
Rabbi Pinto poses a compelling question: How could a man, seemingly detached from the outside world, rise instantly to become Egypt’s leader? How did Joseph achieve such unparalleled wisdom and leadership in a single moment?
The answer, Rabbi Pinto explains, lies in the Divine power that endows an individual with the ability to rise when the time decreed by the Creator arrives.
Rabbi Pinto highlights a timeless truth that Joseph teaches us: there is no need for a period of transition or preparation. In a single moment, a person can rise from the depths because, when God determines that the time for salvation has come, He provides all the tools necessary to face the new reality.
This principle is echoed in the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites, enslaved in abject degradation, were liberated in an instant. Within days, they witnessed the Divine revelation at Mount Sinai. Similarly, the Talmud (Avodah Zarah 17a) recounts the story of Rabbi Elazar ben Dordaya, who transformed his life through a single, profound act of repentance, earning a place in the World to Come.
Rabbi Pinto emphasizes that this lesson applies to everyone. Even when a person feels trapped in the depths of despair, God has instilled within them the potential to reach the highest peaks. As it is written: “He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt” (Psalms 81:6). Joseph stands as an eternal testament to this Divine truth.
The key to transformation, Rabbi Pinto explains, lies in awakening God’s blessings in one’s life. A person must believe in themselves and trust that when the Divine blessing appears, there are no limits to the heights they can achieve.
Rabbi Pinto concludes with an empowering call to faith. He urges each individual to strengthen their belief in God’s constant presence and guidance. When the moment of salvation arrives, the strength granted to a person is boundless.
Rabbi Pinto’s words serve as a timeless reminder that within each of us lies the potential for profound change and greatness. The moment God deems it the right time, our lives can be transformed in an instant.
This article was written in cooperation with Shuva Israel