Parashat Vayigash 5784

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

In Parashat Vayigash we read of Joseph reconciling with his brothers. Whose responsibility is it to see people reconcile? Does it have to be only those parties involved, or can a third party get involved? Perhaps only the people directly involved should take part in having the reconciliation take place. This is actually a truly realistic situation, since family members and friends often no longer have relationships with one another, and no longer speak, and someone on the outside might want to see them reconcile. Is it appropriate for someone else to get involved? Whose responsibility is it to initiate a reconciliation? What would have happened if Joseph had never reconciled with his brothers?