“It’s an old Eastern adage, it’s all good in the end and if it’s not good it’s not the end”.

In the Chasidic version or the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov, everything is with Hashgacha Protis, Divine Providence, and since G-d is good, it must be good.

What is the end? Is the end after this life? In Messianic times? Or perhaps there is another end? I don’t have the exact answer for the Eastern adage but the Chasidic adage tell us that it is already good. We may not be able to see the good because we are finite humans trying to understand an infinite G-d but our faith can empower us to believe that it is good. And on occasion we get to see the goodness in it.

The end of this week’s Torah portion which is also the end of the first book of the Torah (wow Simchas Torah was already a book ago!) captures this challenge and long-term view.

Jacob has passed, the tribe are passing and the Torah closes out with the passing of Joseph. Unlike Jacob, Joseph is embalmed by the Egyptians, placed in a coffin and sunk to the bottom of the Nile River. Not a happy event or an inspiring event.

The Jewish People are going to begin the Exile in the opening verses of the second book of the Torah. The carry-over is this sad passing of Joseph and his end at the bottom of the Nile.

Where is the good here?

I want you to close your eyes, open your heart and transport yourself to Egypt at this time. Feel the sadness of Joseph’s passing. But at the same time feel the confidence that the hard times are going to pass.

Joseph promised as much; “God will surely remember you” and he doesn’t follow in his father’s coffin-steps to be buried in Israel. He is there with you in Egypt. You feel confident that there is good at the end. You feel in the pain of the exile and the suffering of your brethren that there will come a day that you will leave the exile with Joseph as he promised.