Do you Know Yosef?

Shemos PDF five lines

As the story goes, Israel proliferated into a large nation in Egypt, and a new Pharaoh arose upon Egypt who “didn’t know Yosef” (Ex. 1:8).

The sentence should read, “who didn’t recognize the agreement between Israel and Egypt,” as Yosef had passed away some years ago.

The Torah emphasizes Yosef’s forging of the agreement, because a relationship is heavily influenced by what occurs at its beginning.

                  [read more about crucial lessons in relationships by ordering The Seven Ways here]

In my post-high school studies, I made friends with a younger student, and our first activity was recreational and humorous in nature. I had a hard time relating with him after that in a serious way. Also, I had been friends with someone for years and never met his siblings. I had no idea that I would get along with one of his younger siblings so well, and wished I had met them earlier. However, I think the way in which this connection was forged was better, in the end, because I met this sibling in the context of Torah and Seven Ways discussions, and it has nicely and quite fruitfully dictated our relationships ever since.

The lesson is to put the necessary energy into the beginning of a task or relationship. The effort will pay off, and you will also more clearly see how much you should really be involved in the endeavor. If you don’t put in the right amount, you are much less likely to gain momentum or a strong bond, as well as not know if you should be involved in the first place. Just as Yosef was the identity of the agreement far after his passing, you will be the cause of constructive growth after your initial involvement.   –IB