Are the Jewish People changed?
What will life be like for American Jews after the war?
Will we be a stronger community?
Who is going to manage Gaza after the war?
What is going to be different about Israeli society after the war?

These and many other questions are the space of greater minds than mine. I'm not a prophet but I do have a thought.

This Parsha, the last one and then next two contain the story of Joseph. He is known as Yosef Hatzadik, the righteous one.

His life was replete with struggle; his mothers death, brothers who hated him and tried to kill him and challenge and temptation in Egypt. Then he rises to power. You'd imagine in this position he'd become arrogant and haughty and would take revenge against his brothers.

That is not the case. "Do not be upset because it was G-d who sent me before you to provide for you during this time of hunger".

I'm in awe of Joseph's fortitude, his capacity to withstand temptation, but more than anything I'm in awe of the fact that he didn't carry resentment towards his brothers.

That might be a "me thing", but I think there is much to unpack here.

Our world was polarized long before October 7. US Politics, Israeli Politics, society has pulled to the extremes. The real extremists are visible now. They are the ones who in a time of moral decision remain on the extremes. The others have come together, put differences aside and are battling for good and light.

We can't wait until after the war - may it be over soon and may our soldiers be safe and our hostages returned, amen - to recognize that we must have a chance in how we relate to each other.

We don't have to, and nay we won't ever agree fully with everyone. We won't want to be friends or associates with everyone. But we don't have to hate, we don't have to assassinate the other person's character and we can be dignified.

Above all else, we must realize that these are all external differences, not the true core of what makes us one.

So what happens after the war? I don't know.

I do know that if we work on repairing the fissures that started back with the brothers, we can bring healing to a broken world.

Good Shabbos and Happy Last Night of Chanukah!

I hope to see you tonight at PCM!