According to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs, former Chief Rabbi of England, the first recorded instance of
forgiveness in all of literature is the moment when Joseph, by then the chief civilian government
official of Egypt, revealed his identity to his brothers, who had sold him into slavery, some of whom
had even conspired to kill him. He forgives them unconditionally. And after their father Jacob had died,
the brothers were worried that now Joseph would take revenge. Instead, Joseph forgave them again. What
is truly amazing is that at this time, Joseph had no role mode, no example to follow, not even that of God.
Until this time, we have seen no example of forgiveness by either God or man. Remember Adam and Eve
who were thrown out of Eden, Cain, Lot's wife, the people of the time of Noah, the people of Sodom and
Gomorrah and so forth. God punished all of them severely. It was not until the Israelites were wandering
in the wilderness and worshipping a Golden Calf do we see God's first actual forgiveness of wrongdoing.
And it was the through that forgiveness that the second set of tablets was delivered on Yom Kippur.
When we first meet Joseph he is a self-centered brat. His brothers hate him. His life experiences as a
slave, being in prison with others, and finally as a government official, teach him to appreciate the
problems and faults of others. He gains an understanding of his own faults as well. As he matures, he
learns to see himself as part of a bigger picture, connected to others and to God. This is much different
than the picture he had when he dreamt as a child that his entire family was bowing to him.
In short, it is through Joseph's adjustment of his view of himself that he is able to forgive and be forgiven.
It is through his maturation that he can adjust the childish picture that he had of himself as the literal
center of the universe that he can repair the relationships with his family. It is through his ability to judge
himself fairly that he becomes one of the most venerated figures in ancient Jewry.
Yom Kippur gives us the opportunity to look at ourselves much as Joseph did. It forces us to examine
who we are much as Joseph's experiences did for him. Yom Kippur forces us to grow up, even if only for
a day. On that day, we are less like the child who is self-centered and self-involved. And when we grow
up, when we give forgiveness, when we show compassion, we too can be forgiven.
Gmar Chatima Tova, May You each be sealed for a good year,
Rabbi Yaier Lehrer