Parashat Miketz 5785

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

Parashat Miketz tells the story of Joseph meeting his brothers once again. He asks about their father’s health (Genesis 43:27). The note in the Etz Hayim Torah and Commentary (page 266) teaches that “asking about a person’s well-being became an expected norm in rabbinic Judaism, both as an act of friendship and and as a way of knowing when to fulfill the commandment of visit the sick (bikkur cholim).” As a community, we should be concerned with the well-being of each other. A simple way to do that is to just give someone a call, a text, or send a note.  People are often looking for simple ways to get involved in their Sisterhood Affiliates. What if it were someone’s task to call the Sisterhood membership each week, to just say hello, and see how the person is? There are people who cannot leave their home – and so cannot attend a meeting; but they can make a phone call. And I am sure they would love a phone call as well. The simple act of asking after one’s well-being, shows that we care that they are alive! And so we can live the saying Am Yisrael Chai  All people of Israel Live!