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By Rabbi Daniela Szuster,
B´nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica

Translated by Inés Baum - Proofreading by Ellen Zindler

As of last Shabbat, we began reading the story of Joseph, the great dreamer. Undoubtedly, his life was difficult and full of obstacles. He started dreaming and, at the end of his life, most of his dreams had come true; however, between one period and the other, he suffered much. Through the entire story, we hear his voice just a few times. The Torah gives us an account of his life, but just a few details about his feelings and thoughts.

Let us remember the story: Joseph had several dreams and then his brothers became jealous of him, got angry with him, stripped him of the garment that their father had given him, and threw him into a pit. He was sold to some travelling merchants, lived at the house of Potiphar, and got to run his house. Afterwards, because of accusations made against him by Potiphar’s wife, he was thrown into prison. A couple of years later, Pharaoh ordered him to be freed so that he could interpret his own dreams, and thus, Joseph became the Egyptian emperor’s right-hand man.

There is no doubt that Joseph’s life was a life full of ups and downs. From the lowest bottom – pit and dungeon – he rose to the highest peak – right-hand man of two rulers.

Joseph’s life somehow reflects our own lives. As children, we believe that life is linear, but as time goes by, we start to realize that life is risky and full of ups and downs. The Chanukah festival, which we celebrate during these days, also teaches us about the ups and downs of life. Our people were oppressed for some time, but then, despite their being a small minority confronted by a stronger and more powerful nation, they were able to free themselves and inaugurate the Temple of Jerusalem.

The story itself of the Jewish people is a continuous dialectic of ups and downs. It is a story that goes from freedom to slavery, from being acclaimed to being persecuted. From Joseph’s story we learn that it is important to know that pit and peak do not last forever. Life changes.

Our tradition tells that when King David was on his deathbed, he called forth his son and successor, Solomon, for the final farewell. Solomon, who was young and inexperienced, was worried about the crown that would soon be his. He begged his father to leave him something that could help him through times of crisis. His father gave him a jewel case with a ring inside. “When you are in trouble”, David said, “open this case and read the ring’s inscription. But when you are at the peak of well-being, open it again and look at the ring’s inner side. May God be with you, my son.” And he died.

The years went by and Solomon found himself besieged by serious problems of every kind and color; he was even separated from his throne for some time. Solomon was downhearted and sad, and then he remembered his father’s advice and opened the jewel case. On the outer side of the ring, he read the Hebrew words: Gam ze yaavor, which mean “This too shall pass”. He felt deeply comforted by the message and once more took hold of his destiny, with confidence and decisiveness. The obstacles were overcome. The rebellion was extinguished. A period of unequal growth and thriving began; his wealth increased in abundance and his wisdom was displayed. Having so much power was another of Solomon’s supreme achievements, which enriched his pride and increased his feeling of invincibility. But he did not forget to open the jewel case, draw out the ring, and read the inscription written on its inner side, and then he read: Gam ze yaavor, “This too shall pass”. Wealth, fame, glory, splendor, luxury, all would pass. And thus was how Solomon really became the wisest human being of all times.

In times of distress and pain, we think we will always be immersed in such a situation. But when we calm down a little, we should know that at some point the bitterness will pass and we will again feel well, happy, and comforted. Without a doubt, this phrase gives us hope. When we are at the top, we should avoid pride and vanity. This will help us as well to enjoy and value the moment we are currently living.

Life is like a pendulum that moves from one extreme to the other. What is important is to be able to face each moment in the best possible way, knowing that these moments, both the bad and the good, do not last forever. Perhaps it would be good for us to incorporate Solomon’s ring, with its incriptions Gam ze yaavor, “this too shall pass”, into our lives.

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Forwarded by Rabbi Gustavo Kraselnik, from Kol Shearith Israel Congregation, Panama.
Translated by Inés Baum and proofread by Ellen Zindler, from B’nei Israel Congregation, Costa Rica.

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